The Project Gutenberg eBook of The 1992 CIA World Factbook This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: The 1992 CIA World Factbook Author: United States. Central Intelligence Agency Release date: January 1, 1993 [eBook #48] Most recently updated: October 3, 2025 Language: English Credits: Produced by Dr. Gregory B. Newby *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 1992 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK *** The 1992 CIA World Factbook ["United States. Central Intelligence Agency"] 1992 2025-10-03 Project Gutenberg Edition en "The 1992 CIA World Factbook" by the United States Central Intelligence Agency is a comprehensive reference publication created in the early 1990s. This work provides an extensive overview of various countries' geographical, political, and economic profiles, along with critical data about population demographics, governmental structures, and social statistics. The opening of the factbook introduces its structured format, highlighting methods for efficient data retrieval within the text, such as searching for specific country sections. It begins by presenting detailed information about Afghanistan's geography, including land area, climate, natural resources, and environmental challenges. The dataset covers population statistics, religious distribution, and literacy rates, followed by a thorough examination of Afghanistan's government structure, economic overview, and additional specifics about its communications and military capabilities. This systematic approach continues for each country, ensuring readers can access accurate and essential information for a global understanding at a specific historical moment. (This is an automatically generated summary.) The Project Gutenberg Edition of THE CIA WORLD FACTBOOK 1992: January 1, 1993 This edition, as are all Project Gutenberg Editions, is Plain Vanilla ASCII, meaning there are no characters other than what you would see on paper, thus no page returns, no markup, nothing but the characters you would type if you were to copy this from a book on a typewriter. Repetitive paged headers and trailing spaces are not present. Leading spaces have been preserved in fact sections for readability. Mail subject headers can be searched with leading :'s. . .such as: :Afghanistan Geography :Afghanistan People :Afghanistan Government :Afghanistan Government :Afghanistan Economy :Afghanistan Economy :Afghanistan Communications :Afghanistan Defense Forces To find the beginning of any country, search for :country To find internal information, search for :country section, as above. THE CIA WORLD FACTBOOK 1992 :Afghanistan Geography Total area: 647,500 km2 Land area: 647,500 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: 5,529 km total; China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: Pashtunistan issue over the North-West Frontier Province with Pakistan; periodic disputes with Iran over Helmand water rights; Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Iran continue to support clients in country; power struggles among various groups for control of Kabul, regional rivalries among emerging warlords, and traditional tribal disputes continue Climate: arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest Natural resources: natural gas, crude oil, coal, copper, talc, barites, sulphur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones Land use: arable land 12%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 46%; forest and woodland 3%; other 39%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; soil degradation, desertification, overgrazing, deforestation, pollution Note: landlocked :Afghanistan People Population: US Bureau of the Census - 16,095,664 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) and excludes 3,750,796 refugees in Pakistan and 1,607,281 refugees in Iran; note - another report indicates a July 1990 population of 16,904,904, including 3,271,580 refugees in Pakistan and 1,277,700 refugees in Iran Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 20 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992); note - there are flows across the border in both directions, but data are fragmentary and unreliable Infant mortality rate: 162 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 45 years male, 43 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Afghan(s); adjective - Afghan Ethnic divisions: Pashtun 38%, Tajik 25%, Uzbek 6%, Hazara 19%; minor ethnic groups include Chahar Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others Religions: Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi`a Muslim 15%, other 1% Languages: Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%; much bilingualism Literacy: 29% (male 44%, female 14%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 4,980,000; agriculture and animal husbandry 67.8%, industry 10.2%, construction 6.3%, commerce 5.0%, services and other 10.7%, (1980 est.) Organized labor: some small government-controlled unions existed under the former regime but probably now have disbanded :Afghanistan Government Long-form name: Islamic State of Afghanistan Type: transitional Capital: Kabul Administrative divisions: 30 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, Zabol; note - there may be a new province of Nurestan (Nuristan) Independence: 19 August 1919 (from UK) Constitution: the old Communist-era constitution probably will be replaced with an Islamic constitution Legal system: a new legal system has not been adopted but the transitional government has declared it will follow Islamic law (Shari`a) National holiday: 28 April, Victory of the Muslim Nation; 4 May, Remembrance Day for Martyrs and Disabled; 19 August, Independence Day Executive branch: a 51-member transitional council headed by Sibghatullah MOJADDEDI rules Kabul; this body is to turn over power to a leadership council, which will function as the government and organize elections; Burhanuddin RABBANI will serve as interim President Legislative branch: previous bicameral legislature has been abolished Judicial branch: an interim Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has been appointed, but a new court system has not yet been organized Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Interim President Burhanuddin RABBANI; First Vice President Abdul Wahed SORABI (since 7 January 1991); Prime Minister Fazil Haq KHALIQYAR (since 21 May 1990) Political parties and leaders: the former resistance parties represent the only current political organizations and include Jamiat-i-Islami (Islamic Society), Burhanuddin RABBANI; Hizbi Islami-Gulbuddin (Islamic Party), Gulbuddin Hikmatyar Faction; Hizbi Islami-Khalis (Islamic Party) Yunis Khalis Faction; Ittihad-i-Islami Barai Azadi Afghanistan (Islamic Union for the Liberation of Afghanistan), Abdul Rasul SAYYAF; Harakat-Inqilab-i-Islami (Islamic Revolutionary Movement), Mohammad Nabi MOHAMMADI; Jabha-i-Najat-i-Milli Afghanistan (Afghanistan National Liberation Front), Sibghatullah MOJADDEDI; Mahaz-i-Milli-Islami (National Islamic Front), Sayed Ahamad GAILANI; Jonbesh-i-Milli Islami (National Islamic Movement), Ahmad Shah MASOOD and Rashid DOSTAM; Hizbi Wahdat (Islamic Unity Party), and a number of minor resistance parties; the former ruling Watan Party has been disbanded Suffrage: undetermined; previously universal, male ages 15-50 Elections: the transition government has promised elections in October 1992 Communists: the former ruling Watan (Homeland) Party has been disbanded :Afghanistan Government Other political or pressure groups: the former resistance commanders are the major power brokers in the countryside; shuras (councils) of commanders are now administering most cities outside Kabul; ulema (religious scholars); tribal elders Member of: Has previously been a member of AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO; note - the new government has not yet announced whether it will continue to be a member of these bodies; the former resistance government in exile (Afghan Interim Government) was given membership in the OIC in 1989 Diplomatic representation: previous Minister-Counselor, Charge d'Affaires Abdul Ghafur JOUSHAN; Chancery at 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-3770 or 3771; a new representative has not yet been named US: Charge d'Affaires (vacant); Embassy at Ansari Wat, Wazir Akbar Khan Mina, Kabul; telephone 62230 through 62235 or 62436; note - US Embassy in Kabul was closed in January 1989 Flag: a new flag of unknown description reportedly has been adopted; previous flag consisted of three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green, with the national coat of arms superimposed on the hoist side of the black and red bands; similar to the flag of Malawi, which is shorter and bears a radiant, rising red sun centered in the black band :Afghanistan Economy Overview: Fundamentally, Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent on farming (wheat especially) and livestock raising (sheep and goats). Economic considerations, however, have played second fiddle to political and military upheavals during more than 13 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 1.3 million. Another 1 million probably moved into and around urban areas within Afghanistan. Although reliable data are unavailable, gross domestic product is lower than 12 years ago because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade and transport. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $3 billion, per capita $200; real growth rate 0% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): over 90% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues NA; expenditures NA, including capital expenditures of NA Exports: $236 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.) commodities: natural gas 55%, fruits and nuts 24%, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides, and pelts partners: mostly former USSR Imports: $874 million (c.i.f., FY91 est.) commodities: food and petroleum products partners: mostly former USSR External debt: $2.3 billion (March 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.3% (FY91 est.); accounts for about 25% of GDP Electricity: 480,000 kW capacity; 1,450 million kWh produced, 90 kWh per capita (1991) 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 producer of opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; world's second-largest opium producer (after Burma) and a major source of hashish Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $380 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $510 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $57 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $4.1 billion; net official Western disbursements (1985-89), $270 million Currency: afghani (plural - afghanis); 1 afghani (Af) = 100 puls :Afghanistan Economy Exchange rates: afghanis (Af) per US$1 - 550 (May 1992, free market exchange rate), 900 (free market exchange rate as of November 1991), 850 (1991), 700 (1989-90), 220 (1988-89); note - these rates reflect the bazaar rates rather than the official exchange rates Fiscal year: 21 March - 20 March :Afghanistan Communications Railroads: 9.6 km (single track) 1.524-meter gauge from Kushka (Turkmenistan) to Towraghondi and 15.0 km from Termez (Uzbekistan) to Kheyrabad transshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya Highways: 21,000 km total (1984); 2,800 km hard surface, 1,650 km bituminous-treated gravel and improved earth, 16,550 km unimproved earth and tracks Inland waterways: total navigability 1,200 km; chiefly Amu Darya, which handles steamers up to about 500 metric tons Pipelines: petroleum products - former USSR to Bagram and former USSR to Shindand; natural gas 180 km Ports: Shir Khan and Kheyrabad (river ports) Civil air: 2 Tu-154, 2 Boeing 727, 4 Yak-40, assorted smaller transports Airports: 41 total, 37 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 18 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: limited telephone, telegraph, and radiobroadcast services; television introduced in 1980; 31,200 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 satellite earth station :Afghanistan Defense Forces Branches: the military currently is being reorganized by the new government and does not yet 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 remain intact and are supporting the new government; the government has asked all military personnel to return to their stations; a large number of former resistance groups also field irregular military forces; the Ministry of State Security (WAD) has been disbanded Manpower availability: males 15-49, 3,989,232; 2,139,771 fit for military service; 150,572 reach military age (22) annually Defense expenditures: the new government has not yet adopted a defense budget :Albania Geography Total area: 28,750 km2 Land area: 27,400 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: 720 km total; Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Serbia and Montenegro 287 km (114 km with Serbia, 173 km with Montenegro) Coastline: 362 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specified Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Kosovo question with Serbia and Montenegro; Northern Epirus question with 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: crude oil, 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%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: subject to destructive earthquakes; tsunami occur along southwestern coast Note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) :Albania People Population: 3,285,224 (July 1992), growth rate 1.1% (1992) Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: --6 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 27 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Albanian(s); adjective - Albanian Ethnic divisions: Albanian 90%, Greeks 8%, other 2% (Vlachs, Gypsies, Serbs, and Bulgarians) (1989 est.) Religions: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice; estimates of religious affiliation - Muslim 70%, Greek Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% Languages: Albanian (Tosk is official dialect), Greek Literacy: 72% (male 80%, female 63%) age 9 and over can read and write (1955) Labor force: 1,500,000 (1987); agriculture about 60%, industry and commerce 40% (1986) Organized labor: Independent Trade Union Federation of Albania; Confederation of Trade Unions :Albania Government Long-form name: Republic of Albania Type: nascent democracy Capital: Tirane Administrative divisions: 26 districts (rrethe, singular - rreth); Berat, Dibre, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Gramsh, Kolonje, Kore, Kruje, Kukes, Lezhe, Librazhd, Lushnje, Mat, Mirdite, Permet, Pogradec, Puke, Sarande, Shkoder, Skrapar, Tepelene, Tirane, Tropoje, Vlore Independence: 28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire); People's Socialist Republic of Albania declared 11 January 1946 Constitution: an interim basic law was approved by the People's Assembly on 29 April 1991; a new constitution is to be drafted for adoption in 1992 Legal system: has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Liberation Day, 29 November (1944) Executive branch: president, prime minister of the Council of Ministers, two deputy prime ministers of the Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Kuvendi Popullor) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President of the Republic Sali BERISHA (since 9 April 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers Aleksander MEKSI (since 10 April 1992) Political parties and leaders: there are at least 18 political parties; most prominent are the Albanian Socialist Party (ASP), Fatos NANO, first secretary; Democratic Party (DP), Eduard SELAMI, chairman; Albanian Republican Party (RP), Sabri GODO; Omonia (Greek minority party), leader NA (ran in 1992 election as Unity for Human Rights Party (UHP)); Social Democratic Party (SDP), Skender GJINUSHI; note - in December 1990 then President ALIA allowed new political parties to be formed in addition to the then AWP for the first time since 1944 Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: People's Assembly: last held 22 March 1992; results - DP 62.29%, ASP 25.57%, SDP 4.33%, RP 3.15%, UHP 2.92%, other 1.74%; seats - (140 total) DP 92, ASP 38, SDP 7, RP 1, UHP 2 Member of: CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Minister-Counselor, Charge d'Affaires ad interim (30 April 1991) Sazan Hyda BEJO; chancery (temporary) at 320 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021; telephone (212) 249-2059 US: Ambassador (vacant); Embassy at Rruga Labinoti 103, room 2921, Tirane (mailing address is APO AE 09624); telephone 355-42-32875; FAX 355-42-32222 :Albania Government Flag: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center :Albania Economy Overview: The Albanian economy, already providing the lowest standard of living in Europe, contracted sharply in 1991, with most industries producing at only a fraction of past levels and an unemployment rate estimated at 40%. For over 40 years, the Stalinist-type economy has operated on the principle of central planning and state ownership of the means of production. Albania began fitful economic reforms during 1991, including the liberalization of prices and trade, the privatization of shops and transport, and land reform. These reform measures were crippled, however, by the widespread civil disorder that accompanied the collapse of the Communist state. Following their overwhelming victory in the 22 March 1991 elections, the new Democratic government announced a program of shock therapy to stabilize the economy and establish a market economy. In an effort to expand international ties, Tirane has reestablished diplomatic relations with the former Soviet Union and the US and has joined the IMF and World Bank. The Albanians have also passed legislation allowing foreign investment. Albania possesses considerable mineral resources and, until 1990, was largely self-sufficient in food; however, the breakup of cooperative farms in 1991 and general economic decline forced Albania to rely on foreign aid to maintain adequate supplies. Available statistics on Albanian economic activity are rudimentary and subject to an especially wide margin of error. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $2.7 billion, per capita $820; real growth rate --35% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 100% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 40% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $1.1 billion; expenditures $1.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $70 million (1991 est.) Exports: $80 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: asphalt, petroleum products, metals and metallic ores, electricity, crude oil, vegetables, fruits, tobacco partners: Italy, Yugoslavia, Germany, Greece, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary Imports: $147 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery, machine tools, iron and steel products, textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals partners: Italy, Yugoslavia, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria External debt: $500 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate --55% (1991 est.) Electricity: 1,690,000 kW capacity; 5,000 million kWh produced, 1,530 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing, lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, basic metals, hydropower :Albania Economy Agriculture: arable land per capita among lowest in Europe; over 60% of arable land now in private hands; one-half of work force engaged in farming; wide range of temperate-zone crops and livestock; severe dislocations suffered in 1991 Economic aid: $190 million humanitarian aid, $94 million in loans/guarantees/credits Currency: lek (plural - leke); 1 lek (L) = 100 qintars Exchange rates: leke (L) per US$1 - 50 (January 1992), 25 (September 1991) Fiscal year: calendar year :Albania Communications Railroads: 543 km total; 509 1.435-meter standard gauge, single track and 34 km narrow gauge, single track (1990); line connecting Titograd (Serbia and Montenegro) and Shkoder (Albania) completed August 1986 Highways: 16,700 km total; 6,700 km highways, 10,000 km forest and agricultural cart roads (1990) Inland waterways: 43 km plus Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, Lake Ohrid, and Lake Prespa (1990) Pipelines: crude oil 145 km; petroleum products 55 km; natural gas 64 km (1988) Ports: Durres, Sarande, Vlore Merchant marine: 11 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 52,886 GRT/76,449 DWT Airports: 12 total, 10 usable; more than 5 with permanent-surface runways; more than 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: inadequate service; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 13 AM, 1 TV; 514,000 radios, 255,000 TVs (1987 est.) :Albania Defense Forces Branches: Army, Coastal Defense Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Troops Manpower availability: males 15-49, 886,032; 731,072 fit for military service; 33,028 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - 1.0 billion leks, NA% of GNP (FY90); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results :Algeria Geography Total area: 2,381,740 km2 Land area: 2,381,740 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas Land boundaries: 6,343 km total; Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km Coastline: 998 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Libya claims about 19,400 km2 in southeastern Algeria; land boundary disputes with Tunisia under discussion Climate: arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer Terrain: mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 13%; forest and woodland 2%; other 82%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; desertification Note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan) :Algeria People Population: 26,666,921 (July 1992), growth rate 2.5% (1992) Birth rate: 31 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 56 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 68 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.1 children born/woman (1992) 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: 50% (male 63%, female 36%) age 15 and over can read and write (1987) Labor force: 3,700,000; industry and commerce 40%, agriculture 24%, government 17%, services 10% (1984) Organized labor: 16-19% of labor force claimed; General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA) is the only labor organization and is subordinate to the National Liberation Front :Algeria Government Long-form name: Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria Type: republic Capital: Algiers Administrative divisions: 48 provinces (wilayast, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France) Constitution: 19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised February 1989 Legal system: socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 1 November (1954) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly (Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President Mohamed BOUDIAF; assassinated 29 June 1992 Head of Government: Interim Prime Minister Sid Ahmed GHOZALI (since 6 June 1991) Political parties and leaders: National Liberation Front (FLN); Socialist Forces Front (FFS), Hocine Ait AHMED, Secretary General; the government established a multiparty system in September 1989, and, as of 31 December 1990, over 30 legal parties existed Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National People's Assembly: first round held on 26 December 1991 (second round canceled by the military after President BENJEDID resigned 11 January 1992); 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 (municipal and wilaya) 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 President: next election to be held December 1993 Communists: 400 (est.); Communist party banned 1962 Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO :Algeria Government:Algeria Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Abderrahmane BENSID; Chancery at 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-2800 US: Ambassador Mary Ann CASEY; Embassy at 4 Chemin Cheich Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers (mailing address is B. P. Box 549, Alger-Gare, 16000 Algiers); telephone [213] (2) 601-425 or 255, 186; FAX [213] (2) 603979; there is a US Consulate in Oran 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:Algeria Economy Overview: The oil and natural gas sector forms the backbone of the economy. Algeria depends on hydrocarbons for nearly all of its export receipts, about 30% of government revenues, and nearly 25% of GDP. In 1973-74 the sharp increase in oil prices led to a booming economy and helped to finance an ambitious program of industrialization. Plunging oil and gas prices, combined with the mismanagement of Algeria's highly centralized economy, has brought the nation to its most serious social and economic crisis since independence in 1988. The government has promised far-reaching reforms, including privatization of some public- sector companies, encouraging private-sector activity, boosting gas and nonhydrocarbon exports, and proposing a major overhaul of the banking and financial systems, but to date it has made only limited progress. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $54 billion, per capita $2,130; real growth rate 2.5% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $16.7 billion; expenditures $17.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.6 billion (1990 est.) Exports: $11.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: petroleum and natural gas 97% partners: Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Italy, France, US Imports: $9 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: capital goods 29%, consumer goods 30% partners: France 25%, Italy 8%, FRG 8%, US 6-7% External debt: $26.4 billion Industrial production: growth rate --3% (1989 est.); accounts for 30% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 6,380,000 kW capacity; 16,700 million kWh produced, 640 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, light industries, natural gas, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GDP and employs 24% of labor force; net importer of food - grain, vegetable oil, and sugar; farm production includes wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits, sheep, and cattle Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-85), $1.4 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $925 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $1.8 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.7 billion; net official disbursements (1985-89), --$375 million Currency: Algerian dinar (plural - dinars); 1 Algerian dinar (DA) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Algerian dinars (DA) per US$1 - 21.862 (January 1992), 18.473 (1991), 8.958 (1990), 7.6086 (1989), 5.9148 (1988), 4.8497 (1987) :Algeria Economy:Algeria Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Algeria Communications:Algeria Communications Railroads: 4,060 km total; 2,616 km standard gauge (1.435 m), 1,188 km 1.055-meter gauge, 256 km 1.000-meter gauge; 300 km electrified; 215 km double track Highways: 80,000 km total; 60,000 km concrete or bituminous, 20,000 km gravel, crushed stone, unimproved earth Pipelines: crude oil 6,612 km; petroleum products 298 km; natural gas 2,948 km Ports: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Ghazaouet, Jijel, Mers el Kebir, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda Merchant marine: 75 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 903,179 GRT/1,064,246 DWT; includes 5 short-sea passenger, 27 cargo, 12 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 5 petroleum tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 7 chemical tanker, 9 bulk, 1 specialized tanker Civil air: 42 major transport aircraft Airports: 141 total, 124 usable; 53 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 32 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 65 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent domestic and international service in the north, sparse in the south; 822,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 26 AM, no FM, 18 TV; 1,600,000 TV sets; 5,200,000 radios; 5 submarine cables; radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Intersputnik, l ARABSAT, and 15 domestic :Algeria Defense Forces:Algeria Defense Forces Branches: National Popular Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Air Defense, National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 6,386,157; 3,928,029 fit for military service; 283,068 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $867 million, approximately 1.8% of GDP (1992) :American Samoa Geography:American Samoa Geography Total area: 199 km2 Land area: 199 km2; includes Rose Island and Swains Island Comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 116 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 Natural resources: pumice and pumicite Land use: arable land 10%; permanent crops 5%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 75%; other 10% Environment: typhoons common from December to March Note: Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location about 3,700 km south-southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand :American Samoa People:American Samoa People Population: 51,115 (July 1992), growth rate 3.9% (1992); about 65,000 American Samoans live in the states of California and Washington and 20,000 in Hawaii Birth rate: 37 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 6 immigrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - American Samoan(s); adjective - American Samoan; US, noncitizen nationals Ethnic divisions: Samoan (Polynesian) 90%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 2%, other 6% Religions: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant denominations and other 30% Languages: Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages) and English; most people are bilingual Literacy: 97% (male 97%, female 97%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 14,400 (1990); government 48%, tuna canneries 33%, other 19% (1986 est.) Organized labor: NA :American Samoa Government:American Samoa Government Long-form name: Territory of American Samoa Type: unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the US Department of Interior, Office of Territorial and International Affairs; indigenous inhabitants are US nationals, not citizens of the US Capital: Pago Pago Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US) Independence: none (territory of the US) Constitution: ratified 1966, in effect 1967; note - a comprehensive revision is awaiting ratification by the US Congress (1992) National holiday: Territorial Flag Day, 17 April (1900) Executive branch: popularly elected governor and lieutenant governor Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono) consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: High Court, district courts, and village courts Leaders: Chief of State: President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since 20 January 1989) Head of Government: Governor Peter Tali COLEMAN (since 20 January 1989); Lieutenant Governor Galea'i POUMELE (since NA 1989) Suffrage: universal at age 18; indigenous inhabitants are US nationals, not US citizens Elections: Governor: last held 7 November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); results - Peter T. COLEMAN was elected (percent of vote NA) House of Representatives: last held November 1990 (next to be held November 1992); results - representatives popularly elected from 17 house districts; seats - (21 total, 20 elected, and 1 nonvoting delegate from Swain's Island) Senate: last held 7 November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); results - senators elected by county councils from 12 senate districts; seats - (18 total) number of seats by party NA US House of Representatives: last held 19 November 1990 (next to be held November 1992); results - Eni R. F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as a nonvoting delegate Member of: ESCAP, IOC, SPC 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:American Samoa Economy Overview: Economic development is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa does nearly 90% of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private-sector economy, 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. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $128 million, per capita $2,500; real growth rate NA% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (1989) Unemployment rate: 12% (1991) Budget: revenues $126,394,000 (consisting of $46,441,000 local revenue and $79,953,000 grant revenue); including capital expenditures of $NA million (1990) Exports: $307 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: canned tuna 93% partners: US 99.6% Imports: $377.9 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum 7%, machinery and parts 6% partners: US 72%, Japan 7%, NZ 7%, Australia 5%, other 9% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 42,000 kW capacity; 85 million kWh produced, 2,020 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tuna canneries (largely dependent on foreign supplies of raw tuna), meat canning, handicrafts Agriculture: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas, dairy farming Economic aid: $21,042,650 in operational funds and $5,948,931 in construction funds for capital improvement projects from the US Department of Interior (1991) Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September :American Samoa Communications:American Samoa Communications Railroads: none Highways: 350 km total; 150 km paved, 200 km unpaved Ports: Pago Pago, Ta'u Airports: 4 total, 4 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440 to 3,659 m (international airport at Tafuna, near Pago Pago); small airstrips on Ta'u and Ofu Telecommunications: 6,500 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; good telex, telegraph, and facsimile services; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station, 1 COMSAT earth station :American Samoa Defense Forces:American Samoa Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Andorra Geography:Andorra Geography Total area: 450 km2 Land area: 450 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 125 km total; France 60 km, Spain 65 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: temperate; snowy, cold winters and cool, 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% Environment: deforestation, overgrazing Note: landlocked :Andorra People:Andorra People Population: 54,428 (July 1992), growth rate 2.2% (1992) Birth rate: 11 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 15 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Andorran(s); adjective - Andorran Ethnic divisions: Catalan stock; Spanish 61%, Andorran 30%, French 6%, other 3% Religions: virtually all Roman Catholic Languages: Catalan (official); many also speak some French and Castilian Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: none :Andorra Government:Andorra Government Long-form name: Principality of Andorra Type: unique coprincipality under formal sovereignty of president of France and Spanish bishop of Seo de Urgel, who are represented locally by officials called veguers Capital: Andorra la Vella Administrative divisions: 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Les Escaldes, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria Independence: 1278 Constitution: none; some pareatges and decrees, mostly custom and usage Legal system: based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Mare de Deu de Meritxell, 8 September Executive branch: two co-princes (president of France, bishop of Seo de Urgel in Spain), two designated representatives (French veguer, Episcopal veguer), two permanent delegates (French prefect for the department of Pyrenees-Orientales, Spanish vicar general for the Seo de Urgel diocese), president of government, Executive Council Legislative branch: unicameral General Council of the Valleys (Consell General de las Valls) Judicial branch: civil cases - Supreme Court of Andorra at Perpignan (France) or the Ecclesiastical Court of the bishop of Seo de Urgel (Spain); criminal cases - Tribunal of the Courts (Tribunal des Cortes) Leaders: Chiefs of State: French Co-Prince Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981), represented by Veguer de Franca Jean Pierre COURTOIS; Spanish Episcopal Co-Prince Mgr. Joan MARTI y Alanis (since 31 January 1971), represented by Veguer Episcopal Francesc BADIA Batalla Head of Government: Oscar RIBAS Reig (since January 1990) Political parties and leaders: political parties not yet legally recognized; traditionally no political parties but partisans for particular independent candidates for the General Council on the basis of competence, personality, and orientation toward Spain or France; various small pressure groups developed in 1972; first formal political party, Andorran Democratic Association, was formed in 1976 and reorganized in 1979 as Andorran Democratic Party Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: General Council of the Valleys: last held 11 December 1989 (next to be held December 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28 total) number of seats by party NA Member of: INTERPOL, IOC Diplomatic representation: Andorra has no mission in the US :Andorra Government:Andorra Government US: includes Andorra within the Barcelona (Spain) Consular District, and the US Consul General visits Andorra periodically; Consul General Carolee HEILEMAN; Consulate General at Via Layetana 33, 08003 Barcelona (mailing address APO AE 09646); telephone [34] (3) 319-9550 Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania that do not have a national coat of arms in the center :Andorra Economy:Andorra Economy Overview: The mainstay of Andorra's economy is tourism. An estimated 13 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. 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. The rapid pace of European economic integration is a potential threat to Andorra's advantages from its duty-free status. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $727 million, per capita $14,000; real growth rate NA% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: none Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $0.017 million (f.o.b., 1986) commodities: electricity partners: France, Spain Imports: $531 million (f.o.b., 1986) commodities: consumer goods, food partners: France, Spain External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 35,000 kW capacity; 140 million kWh produced, 2,800 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism (particularly skiing), sheep, timber, tobacco, banking Agriculture: sheep raising; small quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat, barley, oats, and some vegetables Economic aid: none Currency: French franc (plural - francs) and Spanish peseta (plural - pesetas); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes and 1 Spanish peseta (Pta) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.3801 January (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987); Spanish pesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 100.02 (January 1992), 103.91 (1991), 101.93 (1990), 118.38 (1989), 116.49 (1988), 123.48 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Andorra Communications:Andorra Communications Highways: 96 km Telecommunications: international digital microwave network; international landline circuits to France and Spain; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 17,700 telephones :Andorra Defense Forces:Andorra Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France and Spain :Angola Geography:Angola Geography Total area: 1,246,700 km2 Land area: 1,246,700 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: 5,198 km total; Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zaire 2,511 km, Zambia 1,110 km Coastline: 1,600 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 20 nm Disputes: civil war since independence on 11 November 1975; on 31 May 1991 Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos SANTOS and Jonas SAVIMBI, leader of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), signed a peace treaty that calls for multiparty elections in late September 1992, an internationally monitored cease-fire, and termination of outside military assistance 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 NEGL%; meadows and pastures 23%; forest and woodland 43%; other 32% Environment: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on plateau; desertification Note: Cabinda is separated from rest of country by Zaire :Angola People:Angola People Population: 8,902,076 (July 1992), growth rate 2.7% (1992) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 19 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 152 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 43 years male, 47 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Angolan(s); adjective - Angolan Ethnic divisions: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, Mestico 2%,European 1%, other 22% Religions: indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (est.) Languages: Portuguese (official); various Bantu dialects Literacy: 42% (male 56%, female 28%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,783,000 economically active; agriculture 85%, industry 15% (1985 est.) Organized labor: about 450,695 (1980) :Angola Government:Angola Government Long-form name: People's Republic of Angola Type: in transition from a one-party Marxist state to a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system Capital: Luanda Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire Independence: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal) Constitution: 11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, and 6 March 1991 Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate multipartyism and increased use of free markets National holiday: Independence Day, 11 November (1975) Executive branch: president, prime minister, chairman of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Assembleia do Povo) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal da Relacaao) Leaders: Chief of State: President Jose Eduardo dos SANTOS (since 21 September 1979) Head of Government: Prime Minister Fernando Jose Franca VAN DUNEM (since 21 July 1991) Political parties and leaders: the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola - Labor Party (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo dos SANTOS, is the ruling party that has been in power in Angola's one-party system since 1975. The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, has been in insurgency since 1975, but as a result of the peace accords is now a legally recognized political party. Some 30 other political parties now exist in Angola, but few of them are viable and only a couple have met the requirements to become legally recognized. Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: first nationwide, multiparty elections to be held between September and November 1992 Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC (observer), ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: none; note - US Liaison Office (USLO) established after Peace Accords in May 1991 as a precursor to establishing an embassy after election in 1992; address - Luanda (USLO), BPA Building, llth floor, telephone [244] (2) 39-02-42; FAX [244] (2) 39-05-15 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle) :Angola Economy: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. In recent years, a bitter internal war has severely affected the nonoil economy, and food has to be imported. For the long run, Angola has the advantage of rich natural resources in addition to oil, notably gold, diamonds, and arable land. To realize its economic potential Angola not only must secure domestic peace but also must reform government policies that have led to distortions and imbalances throughout the economy. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $8.3 billion, per capita $950; real growth rate 1.7% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $2.6 billion; expenditures $4.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (1990 est.) Exports: $3.9 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: oil, liquefied petroleum gas, diamonds, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton partners: US, USSR, Cuba, Portugal, Brazil, France Imports: $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: capital equipment (machinery and electrical equipment), food, vehicles and spare parts, textiles and clothing, medicines; substantial military deliveries partners: US, USSR, Cuba, Portugal, Brazil External debt: $7.0 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for about 60% of GDP, including petroleum output Electricity: 510,000 kW capacity; 770 million kWh produced, 90 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, diamonds, mining, fish processing, food processing, brewing, tobacco, sugar, textiles, cement, basic metal products Agriculture: cash crops - coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, sugar, manioc, tobacco; food crops - cassava, corn, vegetables, plantains, bananas; livestock production accounts for 20%, fishing 4%, forestry 2% of total agricultural output; disruptions caused by civil war and marketing deficiencies require food imports Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $265 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,105 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $1.3 billion; net official disbursements (1985-89), $750 million Currency: kwanza (plural - kwanza); 1 kwanza (Kz) = 100 lwei Exchange rates: kwanza (Kz) per US$1 - 180.0 :Angola Economy:Angola Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Angola Communications:Angola Communications Railroads: 3,189 km total; 2,879 km 1.067-meter gauge, 310 km 0.600-meter gauge; limited trackage in use because of landmines still in place from the civil war; majority of the Benguela Railroad also closed because of civil war Highways: 73,828 km total; 8,577 km bituminous-surface treatment, 29,350 km crushed stone, gravel, or improved earth, remainder unimproved earth Inland waterways: 1,295 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 179 km Ports: Luanda, Lobito, Namibe, Cabinda Merchant marine: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 66,348 GRT/102,825 DWT; includes 11 cargo, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 28 major transport aircraft Airports: 309 total, 177 usable; 30 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 15 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 54 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: limited system of wire, radio relay, and troposcatter routes; high frequency radio used extensively for military links; 40,300 telephones; broadcast stations - 17 AM, 13 FM, 6 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Angola Defense Forces:Angola Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force/Air Defense, People's Defense Organization and Territorial Troops, Frontier Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,129,877; 1,072,323 fit for military service; 89,585 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Anguilla Geography:Anguilla Geography Total area: 91 km2 Land area: 91 km2 Comparative area: about half the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 61 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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: arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest and woodland NA%; other NA%; mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds Environment: frequent hurricanes, other tropical storms (July to October) Note: located 270 km east of Puerto Rico :Anguilla People:Anguilla People Population: 6,963 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 24 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: --10 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 18 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 77 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Anguillan(s); adjective - Anguillan Ethnic divisions: mainly of black African descent Religions: Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12% Languages: English (official) Literacy: 95% (male 95%, female 95%) age 12 and over can read and write (1984) Labor force: 2,780 (1984) Organized labor: NA :Anguilla Government:Anguilla Government Long-form name: none Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: The Valley Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 1 April 1982 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May Executive branch: British monarch, governor, chief minister, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Brian G. J. CANTY (since NA 1989) Head of Government: Chief Minister Emile GUMBS (since March 1984, served previously from February 1977 to May 1980) Political parties and leaders: Anguilla National Alliance (ANA), Emile GUMBS; Anguilla United Party (AUP), Hubert HUGHES; Anguilla Democratic Party (ADP), Victor BANKS Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Assembly: last held 27 February 1989 (next to be held February 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 7 elected) ANA 3, AUP 2, ADP 1, independent 1 Member of: CARICOM (observer), CDB 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: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. Development plans center around the improvement of the infrastructure, particularly transport and tourist facilities, and also light industry. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $23 million, per capita $3,300; real growth rate 8.2% (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (1988 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.0% (1988 est.) Budget: revenues $13.8 million; expenditures $15.2 million, including capital expenditures of $2.4 million (1992 est.) Exports: $NA commodities: lobster and salt partners: NA Imports: $NA commodities: NA partners: NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 2,000 kW capacity; 6 million kWh produced, 867 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, boat building, salt, fishing (including lobster) Agriculture: pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes, sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, poultry Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $38 million Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: NA :Anguilla Communications:Anguilla Communications Highways: 60 km surfaced Ports: Road Bay, Blowing Point Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 3 total, 3 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways of 1,100 m (Wallblake Airport) Telecommunications: modern internal telephone system; 890 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 1 FM, no TV; radio relay link to island of Saint Martin :Anguilla Defense Forces:Anguilla Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Antarctica Geography:Antarctica Geography Total area: 14,000,000 km2 (est.) Land area: about 14,000,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US; second-smallest continent (after Australia) Land boundaries: none, but see entry on Disputes Coastline: 17,968 km Maritime claims: none, but see entry on Disputes 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 Russia do not recognize the territorial claims of other nations and have made no claims themselves (but reserve the right to do so); no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90. west and 150. west, where, because of floating ice, Antarctica is unapproachable from the sea 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 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, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum, and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small, uncommercial quantities Land use: no arable land and no plant growth; ice 98%, barren rock 2% Environment: mostly uninhabitable; katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; a circumpolar ocean current flows clockwise along the coast as do cyclonic storms that form over the ocean; during summer more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; in October 1991 it was reported that the ozone shield, which protects the Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation, had dwindled to its lowest level ever over Antarctica; active volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak Note: the coldest, windiest, highest, and driest continent :Antarctica People:Antarctica People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; staffing of research stations varies seasonally Population: Summer (January) population: 4,115; Argentina 207, Australia 268, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Chile 256, China NA, Ecuador NA, Finland 11, France 78, Germany 32, Greenpeace 12, India 60, Italy 210, Japan 59, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, New Zealand 264, Norway 23, Peru 39, Poland NA, South Africa 79, Spain 43, Sweden 10, UK 116, Uruguay NA, US 1,666, Russia 565 (1989-90) Summer only stations: over 40; Argentina 7, Australia 3, Chile 5, Germany 3, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 4, New Zealand 2, Norway 1, Peru 1, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Sweden 2, UK 1, US numerous, Russia 5 (1989-90); note - the disintegration of the former Soviet Union has placed the status and future of its Antarctic facilities in doubt. Stations may be subject to closings at any time because of ongoing economic difficulties. Winter (July) population: 1,066 total; Argentina 150, Australia 71, Brazil 12, Chile 73, China NA, France 33, Germany 19, Greenpeace 5, India 1, Japan 38, South Korea 14, NZ 11, Poland NA, South Africa 12, UK 69, Uruguay NA, US 225, Russia 313 (1989-90) Year-round stations: 43 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 3, China 2, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 2, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Poland 1, South Africa 3, UK 5, Uruguay 1, US 3, Russia 6 (1990-91) :Antarctica Government:Antarctica Government Long-form name: none Type: Antarctic Treaty Summary: Article 1: area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purposes Article 2: freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue Article 3: free exchange of information and personnel in cooperation with the UN and other international agencies Article 4: does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force Article 5: prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes Article 6: includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60. 00' south Article 7: treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all activities and of the introduction of military personnel must be given Article 8: allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states Article 9: frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations Article 10: treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty Article 11: disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ Article 12, 13, 14: deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations Other agreements: more than 170 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora (1964); Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but was subsequently rejected; in 1991 the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed and awaits ratification; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes on marine pollution, fauna, and flora, environmental impact assessments, waste management, and protected areas; it also prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research :Antarctica Economy:Antarctica Economy Overview: No economic activity at present except for fishing off the coast and small-scale tourism, both based abroad. :Antarctica Communications:Antarctica Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only at most coastal stations Airports: 41 airport facilities at different locations operated by 14 national governments party to the Treaty; one additional air facility operated by commercial (nongovernmental) tourist organization; helicopter pads at 28 of these locations; runways at 9 locations are gravel, sea ice, glacier ice, or compacted snow surface suitable for wheeled fixed-wing aircraft; no paved runways; 16 locations have snow-surface skiways limited to use by ski-equipped planes - 9 runways/skiways 1,000 to 3,000 m, 4 runways/skiways less than 1,000 m, 5 runways/skiways greater than 3,000 m, and 7 of unspecified or variable length; airports generally subject to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions :Antarctica Defense Forces:Antarctica Defense Forces Note: none; Article 7 of the Antarctic Treaty states that advance notice of all military activities and the introduction of military personnel must be given :Antigua and Barbuda Geography:Antigua and Barbuda Geography Total area: 440 km2 Land area: 440 km2; includes Redonda Comparative area: slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 153 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: subject to hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); insufficient freshwater resources; deeply indented coastline provides many natural harbors Note: 420 km east-southeast of Puerto Rico :Antigua and Barbuda People:Antigua and Barbuda People Population: 64,110 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4% (1992) Birth rate: 18 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: --8 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 20 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s); adjective - Antiguan, Barbudan Ethnic divisions: almost entirely of black African origin; some of British, Portuguese, Lebanese, and Syrian origin Religions: Anglican (predominant), other Protestant sects, some Roman Catholic Languages: English (official), local dialects Literacy: 89% (male 90%, female 88%) age 15 and over having completed 5 or more years of schooling (1960) Labor force: 30,000; commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7% (1983) Organized labor: Antigua and Barbuda Public Service Association (ABPSA), membership 500; Antigua Trades and Labor Union (ATLU), 10,000 members; Antigua Workers Union (AWU), 10,000 members (1986 est.) :Antigua and Barbuda Government:Antigua and Barbuda Government Long-form name: none Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Saint John's Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip Independence: 1 November 1981 (from UK) Constitution: 1 November 1981 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 1 November (1981) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Wilfred Ebenezer JACOBS (since 1 November 1981, previously Governor since 1976) Head of Government: Prime Minister Vere Cornwall BIRD, Sr. (since NA 1976); Deputy Prime Minister (vacant) Political parties and leaders: Antigua Labor Party (ALP), Vere C. BIRD, Sr., Lester BIRD; United Progressive Party (UPP), Baldwin SPENCER Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives: last held 9 March 1989 (next to be held NA 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17 total) ALP 15, UPP 1, independent 1 Other political or pressure groups: United Progressive Party (UPP), a coalition of three opposition political parties - the United National Democratic Party (UNDP), the Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement (ACLM), and the Progressive Labor Movement (PLM), the UPP is led by Baldwin SPENCER; Antigua Trades and Labor Union (ATLU), headed by Noel THOMAS Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WCL, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Patrick Albert LEWIS; Chancery at Suite 2H, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 362-5211 or 5166, 5122, 5225; there is an Antiguan Consulate in Miami :Antigua and Barbuda Government:Antigua and Barbuda Government US: the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda, and, in his absence, the Embassy is headed by Charge d'Affaires Bryant SALTER; Embassy at Queen Elizabeth Highway, Saint John's (mailing address is FPO AA 34054); telephone (809) 462-3505 or 3506; FAX (809) 462-3516 Flag: red with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white with a yellow rising sun in the black band :Antigua and Barbuda Economy:Antigua and Barbuda Economy Overview: The economy is primarily service oriented, with tourism the most important determinant of economic performance. During the period 1987-90, real GDP expanded at an annual average rate of about 6%. Tourism makes a direct contribution to GDP of about 13% and also affects growth in other sectors - particularly in construction, communications, and public utilities. Although Antigua and Barbuda is one of the few areas in the Caribbean experiencing a labor shortage in some sectors of the economy, it was hurt in 1991 by a downturn in tourism caused by the Persian Gulf war and the US recession. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $418 million, per capita $6,500 (1989); real growth rate 4.2% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.0% (1988 est.) Budget: revenues $92.8 million; expenditures $101 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Exports: $33.2 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, food and live animals 4%, machinery and transport equipment 17% partners: OECS 26%, Barbados 15%, Guyana 4%, Trinidad and Tobago 2%, US 0.3% Imports: $325.9 million (c.i.f., 1990) 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 3% (1989 est.); accounts for 3% of GDP Electricity: 52,100 kW capacity; 95 million kWh produced, 1,482 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP; expanding output of cotton, fruits, vegetables, and livestock; other crops - bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: US commitments, $10 million (1985-88); Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $50 million Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 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 Communications:Antigua and Barbuda Communications Railroads: 64 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge and 13 km 0.610-meter gauge used almost exclusively for handling sugarcane Highways: 240 km Ports: Saint John's Merchant marine: 105 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 364,891 GRT/552,475 DWT; includes 71 cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 12 container, 3 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 multifunction large load carrier, 1 oil tanker, 12 chemical tanker, 2 bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry Civil air: 11 major transport aircraft Airports: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways less than 1,220 m Telecommunications: good automatic telephone system; 6,700 telephones; tropospheric scatter links with Saba and Guadeloupe; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 coaxial submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Antigua and Barbuda Defense Forces:Antigua and Barbuda Defense Forces Branches: Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force (including the Coast Guard) Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 million, 1% of GDP (FY91) :Arctic Ocean Geography:Arctic Ocean Geography Total area: 14,056,000 km2 Land area: 14,056,000 km2; includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, and other tributary water bodies Comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of the US; smallest of the world's four oceans (after Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean) Coastline: 45,389 km Disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Climate: 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, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals, whales) Environment: endangered marine species include walruses and whales; ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme northeastern Canada; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean and lasts about 10 months; permafrost in islands; virtually icelocked from October to June; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage Note: major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); ships subject to superstructure icing from October to May; strategic location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremes of eastern and western Russia, floating research stations operated by the US and Russia :Arctic Ocean Economy:Arctic Ocean Economy Overview: Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including crude oil, natural gas, fish, and seals. :Arctic Ocean Communications:Arctic Ocean Communications Ports: Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US) Telecommunications: no submarine cables Note: sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Asia) are important seasonal waterways :Argentina Geography:Argentina Geography Total area: 2,766,890 km2 Land area: 2,736,690 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than four times the size of Texas Land boundaries: 9,665 km total; Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km Coastline: 4,989 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: nm limits unknown Territorial sea: 12 nm (overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nm) Disputes: short section of the boundary with Uruguay is in dispute; short section of the boundary with Chile is indefinite; claims British-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); claims British- administered South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest Terrain: rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border Natural resources: fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, crude oil, uranium Land use: arable land 9%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 52%; forest and woodland 22%; other 13%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: Tucuman and Mendoza areas in Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike Pampas and northeast; irrigated soil degradation; desertification; air and water pollution in Buenos Aires Note: second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between South Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage) :Argentina People:Argentina People Population: 32,901,234 (July 1992), growth rate 1.1% (1992) Birth rate: 20 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 34 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Argentine(s); adjective - Argentine Ethnic divisions: white 85%; mestizo, Indian, or other nonwhite groups 15% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 90% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 6% Languages: Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French Literacy: 95% (male 96%, female 95%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 10,900,000; agriculture 12%, industry 31%, services 57% (1985 est.) Organized labor: 3,000,000; 28% of labor force :Argentina Government:Argentina Government Long-form name: Argentine Republic Type: republic Capital: Buenos Aires Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1 district** (distrito); Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Distrito Federal**, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego, Tucuman; note - the national territory is in the process of becoming a province; the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica Independence: 9 July 1816 (from Spain) Constitution: 1 May 1853 Legal system: mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Revolution Day, 25 May (1810) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Carlos Saul MENEM (since 8 July 1989); Vice President (position vacant) Political parties and leaders: Justicialist Party (JP), Carlos Saul MENEM, Peronist umbrella political organization; Radical Civic Union (UCR), Mario LOSADA, moderately left of center; Union of the Democratic Center (UCD), Jorge AGUADO, conservative party; Intransigent Party (PI), Dr. Oscar ALENDE, leftist party; several provincial parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held in three phases during late 1991 for half of 254 seats, total current breakdown of seats - JP 122, UCR 85, UCD 10, other 37 President: last held 14 May 1989 (next to be held NA May 1995); results - Carlos Saul MENEM was elected Senate: last held May 1989, but provincial elections in late 1991 set the stage for indirect elections by provincial senators for one-third of 46 seats in the national senate in May 1992; total current breakdown of seats - JP 27, UCR 14, others 5 Communists: some 70,000 members in various party organizations, including a small nucleus of activists :Argentina Government:Argentina Government Other political or pressure groups: Peronist-dominated labor movement, General Confederation of Labor (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization), Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association), Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association), business organizations, students, the Roman Catholic Church, the Armed Forces Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-6, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, MERCOSUR, OAS, PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Carlos ORTIZ DE ROZAS; Chancery at 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 939-6400 through 6403; there are Argentine Consulates General in Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Consulates in Baltimore, Chicago, and Los Angeles US: Ambassador Terence A. TODMAN; Embassy at 4300 Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires (mailing address is APO AA 34034); telephone [54] (1) 774- 7611 or 8811, 9911; Telex 18156 AMEMBAR 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:Argentina Economy Overview: Argentina is rich in natural resources and has a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Nevertheless, following decades of mismanagement and statist policies, the economy has encountered major problems in recent years, leading to escalating inflation and a recession during 1988-90. Since 1978, Argentina's external debt has nearly doubled to $58 billion, creating severe debt servicing difficulties and hurting the country's creditworthiness with international lenders. Elected in 1989, President Menem has implemented a comprehensive economic restructuring program that shows signs of reversing Argentina's economic decline and putting it on a path of stable, sustainable growth. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $101.2 billion, per capita $3,100; real growth rate 5.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 83.8% (1991) Unemployment rate: 6.4% (October 1991) Budget: revenues $13.6 billion; expenditures $16.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.5 billion (1991) Exports: $12 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: meat, wheat, corn, oilseed, hides, wool partners: US 12%, USSR, Italy, Brazil, Japan, Netherlands Imports: $8 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, fuels and lubricants, agricultural products partners: US 22%, Brazil, FRG, Bolivia, Japan, Italy, Netherlands External debt: $61 billion (January 1992) Industrial production: growth rate 20% (1991 est.); accounts for 30% of GDP Electricity: 17,059,000 kW capacity; 47,357 million kWh produced, 1,450 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GNP (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 headed for the US and Europe Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.0 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.4 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $718 million Currency: peso (plural - pesos); 1 pesos = 100 centavos :Argentina Economy:Argentina Economy Exchange rates: pesos per US$1 - 0.99076 (Feburary 1992), 0.95355 (1991), 0.48759 (1990), 0.04233 (1989), 0.00088 (1988), 0.00021 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Argentina Communications:Argentina Communications Railroads: 34,172 km total (includes 209 km electrified); includes a mixture of 1.435-meter standard gauge, 1.676-meter broad gauge, 1.000-meter narrow gauge, and 0.750-meter narrow gauge Highways: 208,350 km total; 47,550 km paved, 39,500 km gravel, 101,000 km improved earth, 20,300 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 11,000 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 4,090 km; petroleum products 2,900 km; natural gas 9,918 km Ports: Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Necochea, Rio Gallegos, Rosario, Santa Fe Merchant marine: 98 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,235,385 GRT/1,952,307 DWT; includes 35 cargo, 6 refrigerated cargo, 6 container, 1 railcar carrier, 33 oil tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 10 bulk; in addition, 2 naval tankers and 1 military transport are sometimes used commercially Civil air: 56 major transport aircraft Airports: 1,702 total, 1,473 usable; 137 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 31 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 326 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: extensive modern system; 2,650,000 telephones (12,000 public telephones); microwave widely used; broadcast stations - 171 AM, no FM, 231 TV, 13 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; domestic satellite network has 40 earth stations :Argentina Defense Forces:Argentina Defense Forces Branches: Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic, Argentine Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Argentine Naval Prefecture (Coast Guard only), National Aeronautical Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 8,101,856; 6,568,885 fit for military service; 276,457 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $700 million, 1.5% of GDP (1991) :Armenia Geography:Armenia Geography Total area: 29,800 km2 Land area: 28,400 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: 1,254 km total; Azerbaijan (east) 566 km, Azerbaijan (south) 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: violent and longstanding dispute with Azerbaijan over ethnically Armenian exclave of Nagorno-Karabakh; some irredentism by Armenians living in southern Georgia; traditional demands on former Armenian lands in Turkey have greatly subsided Climate: continental, hot, and subject to drought Terrain: high Armenian Plateau with mountain; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley Natural resources: small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina Land use: 10% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; NA% irrigated Environment: pollution of Razdan and Aras Rivers; air pollution in Yerevan :Armenia People:Armenia People Population: 3,415,566 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 22 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: --7 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 35 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Armenian(s); adjective - Armenian Ethnic divisions: Armenian 93.3%, Russian 1.5%, Kurd 1.7%, other 3.5% Religions: Armenian Orthodox 94% Languages: Armenian 93%, Russian 2%, other 5% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (NA) Labor force: 1,630,000; industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%, other 40%(1990) Organized labor: NA :Armenia Government:Armenia Government Long-form name: Republic of Armenia Type: republic Capital: Yerevan Administrative divisions: none - all rayons are under direct republic jurisdiction Independence: Armenian Republic formed 29 November 1920 and became part of the Soviet Union on 30 December 1922; on 23 September 1991, Armenia renamed itself the Republic of Armenia Constitution: adopted NA April 1978, effective NA Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: NA Executive branch: President, Council of Ministers, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral body - Supreme Soviet Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Levon Akopovich TER-PETROSYAN (since 16 October 1991), Vice President Gagik ARUTYUNYAN (since 16 October 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Gagik ARUTYUNYAN (since November 1991), First Deputy Prime Minister Grant BAGRATYAN (since NA September 1990); Supreme Soviet Chairman - Babken ARARKTSYAN Political parties and leaders: Armenian National Movement, Husik LAZARYAN, chairman; National Self-Determination Association, Pakvyr HAYRIKIAN, chairman; National Democratic Union, Vazgen MANUKYAN, chairman; Democratic Liberal Party, Ramkavar AZATAKAN, chairman; Dashnatktsutyan Party, Rouben MIRZAKHANIN; Chairman of Parliamentary opposition - Mekhak GABRIYELYAN Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 16 October 1990 (next to be held NA); results - elected by the Supreme Soviet, Levon Akopovich TER-PETROSYAN 86%; radical nationalists about 7% Supreme Soviet: last held 20 May 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (259 total); number of seats by party NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CSCE, NACC, UN, UNCTAD Diplomatic representation: Charge d'Affaires ad interim, Aleksandr ARZOUMANIAN US: Ambassador (vacant); Steven R. MANN, Charge d'Affaires; Embassy at Hotel Hrazdan (telephone 8-011-7-8852-53-53-32); (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone 8-011-7-885-215-1122 (voice and FAX); 8-011-7-885-215-1144 (voice) :Armenia Government:Armenia Government Flag: NA :Armenia Economy:Armenia Economy Overview: Armenia under the old centrally planned Soviet system had built up textile, machine-building, and other industries and had become a key supplier to sister republics. In turn, Armenia had depended on supplies of raw materials and energy from the other republics. Most of these supplies enter the republic by rail through Azerbaijan (85%) and Georgia (15%). The economy has been severely hurt by ethnic strife with Azerbaijan over control of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, a mostly Armenian-populated enclave within the national boundaries of Azerbaijan. In addition to outright warfare, the strife has included interdiction of Armenian imports on the Azerbaijani railroads and expensive airlifts of supplies to beleagured Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. An earthquake in December 1988 destroyed about one-tenth of industrial capacity and housing, the repair of which has not been possible because the supply of funds and real resources has been disrupted by the reorganization and subsequent dismantling of the central USSR administrative apparatus. Among facilities made unserviceable by the earthquake are the Yerevan nuclear power plant, which had supplied 40% of Armenia's needs for electric power and a plant that produced one-quarter of the output of elevators in the former USSR. Armenia has some deposits of nonferrous metal ores (bauxite, copper, zinc, and molybdenum) that are largely unexploited. For the mid-term, Armenia's economic prospects seem particularly bleak because of ethnic strife and the unusually high dependence on outside areas, themselves in a chaotic state of transformation. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate --10% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 91% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $176 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, ferrous and nonferrous metals, and chemicals (1991) partners: NA Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery, energy, consumer goods (1991) partners: NA External debt: $650 million (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate --9.6% (1991) Electricity: NA kW capacity; 10,433 million kWh produced, about 3,000 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: diverse, including (in percent of output of former USSR) metalcutting machine tools (6.7%), forging-pressing machines (4.7%), electric motors (8.7%), tires (2.1%), knitted wear (5.6%), hosiery (2.3%), shoes (2.2%), silk fabric (5.3%), washing machines (2.0%); also chemicals, trucks, watches, instruments, and microelectronics :Armenia Economy:Armenia Economy Agriculture: only 10% of land area is arable; employs 18% of labor force; citrus, cotton, and dairy farming; vineyards near Yerevan are famous for brandy and other liqueurs Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis mostly for domestic consumption; used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: NA Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Armenia Communications:Armenia Communications Railroads: 840 km all 1.000-meter gauge (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 11,300 km total (1990); 10,500 km hard surfaced, 800 km earth Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: NA Ports: none - landlocked Merchant marine: none: landlocked Civil air: none Airports: NA total, NA usable; NA with permanent-surface runways; NA with runways over 3,659 m; NA with runways 2,440-3,659 m; NA with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: Armenia has about 260,000 telephones, of which about 110,000 are in Yerevan; average telephone density is 8 per 100 persons; international connections to other former republics of the USSR are by landline or microwave and to other countries by satellite and by leased connection through the Moscow international gateway switch; broadcast stations - 100% of population receives Armenian and Russian TV programs; satellite earth station - INTELSAT :Armenia Defense Forces:Armenia Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground and Air Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Aruba Geography:Aruba Geography Total area: 193 km2 Land area: 193 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 68.5 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt Note: 28 km north of Venezuela :Aruba People:Aruba People Population: 64,692 (July 1992), growth rate 0.7% (1992) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: --3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 80 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Aruban(s); adjective - Aruban Ethnic divisions: mixed European/Caribbean Indian 80% Religions: Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, also small Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, and Jewish minority Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA, but most employment is in the tourist industry (1986) Organized labor: Aruban Workers' Federation (FTA) :Aruba Government:Aruba Government Long-form name: none 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 Netherlands) Independence: none (part of the Dutch realm); note - in 1990, Aruba requested and received from the Netherlands cancellation of the agreement to automatically give independence to the island in 1996 Constitution: 1 January 1986 Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence National holiday: Flag Day, 18 March Executive branch: Dutch monarch, governor, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral legislature (Staten) Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice Leaders: Chief of State: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Felipe B. TROMP (since 1 January 1986) Head of Government: Prime Minister Nelson ODUBER (since NA February 1989) Political parties and leaders: Electoral Movement Party (MEP), Nelson ODUBER; Aruban People's Party (AVP), Henny EMAN; National Democratic Action (ADN), Pedro Charro KELLY; New Patriotic Party (PPN), Eddy WERLEMEN; Aruban Patriotic Party (PPA), Benny NISBET; Aruban Democratic Party (PDA), Leo BERLINSKI; Democratic Action '86 (AD '86), Arturo ODUBER; Organization for Aruban Liberty (OHA), Glenbert CROES; governing coalition includes the MEP, PPA, and ADN Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislature: last held 6 January 1989 (next to be held by NA January 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total) MEP 10, AVP 8, ADN 1, PPN 1, PPA 1 Member of: ECLAC (associate), INTERPOL, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WTO (associate) Diplomatic representation: none (self-governing part of the Netherlands) Flag: blue with two narrow horizontal yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner :Aruba Economy:Aruba Economy Overview: Tourism is the mainstay of the economy, although offshore banking and oil refining and storage are also important. Hotel capacity expanded rapidly between 1985 and 1989 and nearly doubled in 1990 alone. Unemployment has steadily declined from about 20% in 1986 to about 3% in 1991. The reopening of the local oil refinery, once a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, promises to give the economy an additional boost. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $854 million, per capita $13,600; real growth rate l0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 3% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $145 million; expenditures $185 million, including capital expenditures of $42 million (1988) Exports: $134.4 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: mostly petroleum products partners: US 64%, EC Imports: $488 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: food, consumer goods, manufactures partners: US 8%, EC External debt: $81 million (1987) Industrial production: growth rate NA Electricity: 310,000 kW capacity; 945 million kWh produced, 15,000 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining Agriculture: poor quality soils and low rainfall limit agricultural activity to the cultivation of aloes, some livestock, and fishing Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $220 million Currency: Aruban florin (plural - florins); 1 Aruban florin (Af.) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Aruban florins (Af.) per US$1 - 1.7900 (fixed rate since 1986) Fiscal year: calendar year :Aruba Communications:Aruba Communications Highways: Aruba has a system of all-weather highways Ports: Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Civil air: Air Aruba has a fleet of 3 intermediate-range Boeing aircraft Airports: government-owned airport east of Oranjestad accepts transatlantic flights Telecommunications: generally adequate; extensive interisland radio relay links; 72,168 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; 1 sea cable to Sint Maarten :Aruba Defense Forces:Aruba Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands :Ashmore and Cartier Islands Geography:Ashmore and Cartier Islands Geography Total area: 5 km2 Land area: 5 km2; includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island Comparative area: about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 74.1 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploration Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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 - grass and sand 100% Environment: surrounded by shoals and reefs; Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 Note: located in extreme eastern Indian Ocean between Australia and Indonesia, 320 km off the northwest coast of Australia :Ashmore and Cartier Islands People:Ashmore and Cartier Islands People Population: no permanent inhabitants; seasonal caretakers :Ashmore and Cartier Islands Government:Ashmore and Cartier Islands Government Long-form name: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands Type: territory of Australia administered by the Australian Minister for Arts, Sports, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories - Roslyn KELLY Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Legal system: relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) :Ashmore and Cartier Islands Economy:Ashmore and Cartier Islands Economy Overview: no economic activity :Ashmore and Cartier Islands Communications:Ashmore and Cartier Islands Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only :Ashmore and Cartier Islands Defense Forces: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 Geography:Atlantic Ocean Geography Total area: 82,217,000 km2 Land area: 82,217,000 km2; includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Weddell Sea, and other tributary water bodies Comparative area: slightly less than nine times the size of the US; second-largest of the world's four oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than Indian Ocean or Arctic Ocean) Coastline: 111,866 km Disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Climate: tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can occur from May to December, but are most frequent from August to November Terrain: surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and Baltic Sea from October to June; clockwise warm water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the north Atlantic, counterclockwise warm water gyre in the south 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 whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stones Environment: endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions, turtles, and whales; municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea; icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic from February to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; icebergs from Antarctica occur in the extreme southern Atlantic Note: ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north Atlantic from October to May and extreme south Atlantic from May to October; persistent fog can be a hazard to shipping from May to September; major choke points include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the Dover Strait, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; north Atlantic shipping lanes subject to icebergs from February to August; the Equator divides the Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways :Atlantic Ocean Economy:Atlantic Ocean Economy Overview: Economic activity is limited to exploitation of natural resources, especially fish, dredging aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and crude oil and natural gas production (Caribbean Sea and North Sea). :Atlantic Ocean Communications:Atlantic Ocean Communications Ports: Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad; Russia), Stockholm (Sweden) Telecommunications: numerous submarine cables with most between continental Europe and the UK, North America and the UK, and in the Mediterranean; numerous direct links across Atlantic via INTELSAT satellite network :Australia Geography:Australia Geography Total area: 7,686,850 km2 Land area: 7,617,930 km2; includes Macquarie Island Comparative area: slightly smaller than the US Land boundaries: none Coastline: 25,760 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Australian Antarctic Territory) Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north Terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast Natural resources: bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, crude oil Land use: arable land 6%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 58%; forest and woodland 14%; other 22%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: subject to severe droughts and floods; cyclones along coast; limited freshwater availability; irrigated soil degradation; regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as the doctor occurs along west coast in summer; desertification Note: world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country :Australia People:Australia People Population: 17,576,354 (July 1992), growth rate 1.4% (1992) Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 7 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 80 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Australian(s); adjective - Australian Ethnic divisions: Caucasian 95%, Asian 4%, Aboriginal and other 1% Religions: Anglican 26.1%, Roman Catholic 26.0%, other Christian 24.3% Languages: English, native languages Literacy: 100% (male 100%, female 100%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 8,630,000 (September 1991); finance and services 33.8%, public and community services 22.3%, wholesale and retail trade 20.1%, manufacturing and industry 16.2%, agriculture 6.1% (1987) Organized labor: 40% of labor force (November 1991) :Australia Government:Australia Government Long-form name: Commonwealth of Australia Type: federal parliamentary state Capital: Canberra Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Independence: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies) Constitution: 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901 Dependent areas: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island Legal system: based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since February 1952), represented by Governor General William George HAYDEN (since 16 February 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Paul John KEATING (since 20 December 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Brian HOWE (since 4 June 1991) Political parties and leaders: government: Australian Labor Party, Paul John KEATING opposition: Liberal Party, John HEWSON; National Party, Timothy FISCHER; Australian Democratic Party, John COULTER Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives: last held 24 March 1990 (next to be held by NA November 1993); results - Labor 39.7%, Liberal-National 43%, Australian Democrats and independents 11.1%; seats - (148 total) Labor 78, Liberal-National 69, independent 1 Senate: last held 11 July 1987 (next to be held by NA July 1993); results - Labor 43%, Liberal-National 42%, Australian Democrats 8%, independents 2%; seats - (76 total) Labor 32, Liberal-National 34, Australian Democrats 7, independents 3 Communists: 4,000 members (est.) :Australia Government:Australia Government Other political or pressure groups: Australian Democratic Labor Party (anti-Communist Labor Party splinter group); Peace and Nuclear Disarmament Action (Nuclear Disarmament Party splinter group) Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, COCOM, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, G-8, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, PCA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIIMOG, UNTAG, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Michael J. COOK; Chancery at 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 797-3000; there are Australian Consulates General in Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Pago Pago (American Samoa), and San Francisco US: Ambassador Melvin F. SEMBLER; Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 (mailing address is APO AP 96549); telephone [61] (6) 270-5000; FAX [61] (6) 270-5970; there are US Consulates General in Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, and a Consulate in Brisbane Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars :Australia Economy: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. Of the top 25 exports, 21 are primary products, so that, as happened during 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. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $280.8 billion, per capita $16,200; real growth rate --0.6% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (September 1991) Unemployment rate: 10.5% (November 1991) Budget: revenues $76.9 billion; expenditures $75.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (FY91) Exports: $41.7 billion (f.o.b., FY91) commodities: metals, minerals, coal, wool, cereals, meat, manufacturers partners: Japan 26%, US 11%, NZ 6%, South Korea 4%, Singapore 4%, UK, Taiwan, Hong Kong Imports: $37.8 billion (f.o.b., FY91) commodities: manufactured raw materials, capital equipment, consumer goods partners: US 24%, Japan 19%, UK 6%, FRG 7%, NZ 4% (1990) External debt: $130.4 billion (June 1991) Industrial production: growth rate --0.9% (1991); accounts for 32% of GDP Electricity: 40,000,000 kW capacity; 155,000 million kWh produced, 8,960 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel, motor vehicles Agriculture: accounts for 5% of GNP and 37% 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), $10.4 billion Currency: Australian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3360 (January 1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987) :Australia Economy:Australia Economy Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Australia Communications:Australia Communications Railroads: 40,478 km total; 7,970 km 1.600-meter gauge, 16,201 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 16,307 km 1.067-meter gauge; 183 km dual gauge; 1,130 km electrified; government owned (except for a few hundred kilometers of privately owned track) (1985) Highways: 837,872 km total; 243,750 km paved, 228,396 km gravel, crushed stone, or stabilized soil surface, 365,726 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 8,368 km; mainly by small, shallow-draft craft Pipelines: crude oil 2,500 km; petroleum products 500 km; natural gas 5,600 km Ports: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport, Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart, Launceston, Mackay, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville Merchant marine: 85 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,324,803 GRT/3,504,385 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 8 cargo, 8 container, 11 roll-on/roll-off, 1 vehicle carrier, 17 petroleum tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 4 liquefied gas, 1 combination ore/oil, 30 bulk, 1 combination bulk Civil air: about 150 major transport aircraft Airports: 481 total, 440 usable; 237 with permanent-surface runways, 1 with runway over 3,659 m; 20 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 268 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good international and domestic service; 8.7 million telephones; broadcast stations - 258 AM, 67 FM, 134 TV; submarine cables to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; domestic satellite service; satellite stations - 4 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 6 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Australia Defense Forces:Australia Defense Forces Branches: Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 4,769,005; 4,153,060 fit for military service; 138,117 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $7.5 billion, 2.4% of GDP (FY92 budget) :Austria Geography:Austria Geography Total area: 83,850 km2 Land area: 82,730 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: 2,591 km total; Czechoslovakia 548 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 37 km, Slovenia 262 km, Switzerland 164 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers Terrain: mostly mountains with Alps in west and south; mostly flat, with gentle slopes along eastern and northern margins Natural resources: iron ore, crude oil, timber, magnesite, aluminum, lead, coal, lignite, copper, hydropower Land use: arable land 17%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 24%; forest and woodland 39%; other 19%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: because of steep slopes, poor soils, and cold temperatures, population is concentrated on eastern lowlands Note: landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube :Austria People:Austria People Population: 7,867,541 (July 1992), growth rate 0.7% (1992) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 80 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (1992) 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: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1974 est.) Labor force: 3,470,000 (1989); services 56.4%, industry and crafts 35.4%, agriculture and forestry 8.1%; an estimated 200,000 Austrians are employed in other European countries; foreign laborers in Austria number 177,840, about 6% of labor force (1988) Organized labor: 60.1% of work force; the Austrian Trade Union Federation has 1,644,408 members (1989) :Austria Government:Austria Government Long-form name: Republic of Austria Type: federal republic Capital: Vienna Administrative divisions: 9 states (bundeslander, singular - bundesland); Burgenland, Karnten, Niederosterreich, Oberosterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark, Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien Independence: 12 November 1918 (from Austro-Hungarian Empire) Constitution: 1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 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 National holiday: National Day, 26 October (1955) Executive branch: president, chancellor, vice chancellor, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung) consists of an upper council or Federal Council (Bundesrat) and a lower council or National Council (Nationalrat) Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for civil and criminal cases, Administrative Court (Verwaltungsgerichtshof) for bureaucratic cases, Constitutional Court (Verfassungsgerichtshof) for constitutional cases Leaders: Chief of State: President Thomas KLESTIL (since 8 July 1992) Head of Government: Chancellor Franz VRANITZKY (since 16 June 1986); Vice Chancellor Erhard BUSEK (since 2 July 1991) Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO), Franz VRANITZKY, chairman; Austrian People's Party (OVP), Erhard BUSEK, chairman; Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), Jorg HAIDER, chairman; Communist Party (KPO), Walter SILBERMAYER, chairman; Green Alternative List (GAL), Johannes VOGGENHUBER, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 19; compulsory for presidential elections Elections: National Council: last held 7 October 1990 (next to be held October 1994); results - SPO 43%, OVP 32.1%, FPO 16.6%, GAL 4.5%, KPO 0.7%, other 0.32%; seats - (183 total) SPO 80, OVP 60, FPO 33, GAL 10 President: last held 24 May 1992 (next to be held 1996); results of Second Ballot - Thomas KLESTIL 57%, Rudolf STREICHER 43% Communists: membership 15,000 est.; activists 7,000-8,000 :Austria Government:Austria Government Other political or pressure groups: Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Austrian Trade Union Federation (primarily Socialist); three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party (OVP) representing business, labor, and farmers; OVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists; Roman Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic Action Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-9, GATT, HG, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTRC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNDOF, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Friedrich HOESS; Embassy at 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 895-6700; there are Austrian Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York US: Ambassador Roy Michael HUFFINGTON; Embassy at Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1091, Vienna (mailing address is APO AE 09108-0001); telephone [43] (1) 31-55-11; FAX [43] (1) 310-0682; there is a US Consulate General in Salzburg Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red :Austria Economy:Austria Economy Overview: Austria boasts a prosperous and stable capitalist economy with a sizable proportion of nationalized industry and extensive welfare benefits. Thanks to an excellent 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. Improved export prospects resulting from German unification and the opening of Eastern Europe, boosted the economy during 1990 and to a lesser extent in 1991. GDP growth slowed from 4.9% in 1990 to 3% in 1991 - mainly due to the weaker world economy - and is expected to drop to around 2% in 1992. Inflation is forecasted at about 4%, while unemployment probably will increase moderately through 1992 before declining in 1993. Living standards are comparable with the large industrial countries of Western Europe. Problems for the l990s include an aging population, the high level of subsidies, and the struggle to keep welfare benefits within budget capabilities. Austria, which has applied for EC membership, was involved in EC and European Free Trade Association negotiations for a European Economic Area and will have to adapt its economy to achieve freer interchange of goods, services, capital, and labor within the EC. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $164.1 billion, per capita $20,985; real growth rate 3% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (1991, annual rate) Unemployment rate: 5.8% (1991) Budget: revenues $47.7 billion; expenditures $53.0 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990) Exports: $40 billion (1991) commodities: machinery and equipment, iron and steel, lumber, textiles, paper products, chemicals partners: EC 65.8%, (Germany 39%), EFTA 9.1%, Eastern Europe/former USSR 9.0%, Japan 1.7%, US 2.8% Imports: $50.2 billion (1991) commodities: petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals, textiles and clothing, pharmaceuticals partners: EC 67.8% (Germany is 43.0%), EFTA 6.9%, Eastern Europe/former USSR 6.0%, Japan 4.8%, US 3.9% External debt: $11.8 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: 2.0% (1991) Electricity: 17,600,000 kW capacity; 49,500 million kWh produced, 6,500 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: foods, iron and steel, machines, textiles, chemicals, electrical, paper and pulp, tourism, mining :Austria Economy:Austria Economy 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 Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $2.4 billion Currency: Austrian schilling (plural - schillings); 1 Austrian schilling (S) = 100 groschen Exchange rates: Austrian schillings (S) per US$1 - 11.068 (January 1992), 11.676 (1991), 11.370 (1990), 13.231 (1989), 12.348 (1988), 12.643 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Austria Communications:Austria Communications Railroads: 6,028 km total; 5,388 km government owned and 640 km privately owned (1.435- and 1.000-meter gauge); 5,403 km 1.435-meter standard gauge of which 3,051 km is electrified and 1,520 km is double tracked; 363 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge of which 91 km is electrified Highways: 95,412 km total; 34,612 km are the primary network (including 1,012 km of autobahn, 10,400 km of federal, and 23,200 km of provincial roads); of this number, 21,812 km are paved and 12,800 km are unpaved; in addition, there are 60,800 km of communal roads (mostly gravel, crushed stone, earth) Inland waterways: 446 km Pipelines: crude oil 554 km; natural gas 2,611 km; petroleum products 171 km Ports: Vienna, Linz (river ports) Merchant marine: 31 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 130,966 GRT/219,130 DWT; includes 26 cargo, 1 container, 4 bulk Civil air: 25 major transport aircraft Airports: 55 total, 55 usable; 20 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: highly developed and efficient; 4,014,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 21 (545 repeaters) FM, 47 (870 repeaters) TV; satellite ground stations for Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and EUTELSAT systems :Austria Defense Forces:Austria Defense Forces Branches: Army, Flying Division, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,011,895; 1,693,244 fit for military service; 51,788 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.8 billion, 1% of GDP (1991) :Azerbaijan Geography:Azerbaijan Geography Total area: 86,600 km2 Land area: 86,100 km2; includes the Nakhichevan' Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast; region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijan Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991 Comparative area: slightly larger than Maine Land boundaries: 2,013 km total; Armenia (west) 566 km, Armenia (southwest) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (south) 432 km, Iran (southwest) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: NA Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm; Azerbaijani claims in Caspian Sea unknown; 10 nm fishing zone provided for in 1940 treaty regarding trade and navigation between Soviet Union and Iran Disputes: violent and longstanding dispute with Armenia over status of Nagorno-Karabakh, lesser dispute concerns Nakhichevan'; some Azeris desire absorption of and/or unification with the ethnically Azeri portion of Iran; minor irredentist disputes along Georgia border Climate: dry, semiarid steppe; subject to drought Terrain: large, flat Kura Lowland (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Karabakh Upland in west; Baku lies on Aspheson Peninsula that juts into Caspian Sea Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes 70% of cultivated land irrigated (1.2 million hectares) Environment: local scientists consider Apsheron Peninsula, including Baku and Sumgait, and the Caspian Sea to be "most ecologically devastated area in the world" because of severe air and water pollution Note: landlocked; major polluters are oil, gas, and chemical industries :Azerbaijan People:Azerbaijan People Population: 7,450,787 (July 1992), growth rate 1.6% (1992) Birth rate: 26 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: --3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 45 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 73 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Azerbaijani(s); adjective - Azerbaijani Ethnic divisions: Azeri 82.7%, Russian 5.6%, Armenian 5.6%, Daghestanis 3.2%, other 2.9%; note - Armenian share may be less than 5.6% because many Armenians have fled the ethnic violence since 1989 census Religions: Moslem 87%, Russian Orthodox 5.6%, Armenian Orthodox 5.6%, other 1.8% Languages: Azeri 82%, Russian 7%, Armenian 5%, other 6% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1992 est.) Labor force: 2,789,000; agriculture and forestry 32%, industry and construction 26%, other 42% (1990) Organized labor: NA (1992) :Azerbaijan Government:Azerbaijan Government Long-form name: Azerbaijani Republic; short-form name: Azerbaijan Type: republic Capital: Baku (Baky) Administrative divisions: 1 autonomous republic (avtomnaya respublika), Nakhichevan' (administrative center at Nakhichevan'); note - all rayons except for the exclave of Nakhichevan' are under direct republic jurisdiction;1 autonomous oblast, Nagorno-Karabakh (officially abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991) has declared itself Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Independence: 28 May 1918; on 28 April 1920, Azerbaijan became the Soviet Socialist Republic of Azerbaijan; on 30 April 1992 it became the Azerbaijani Republic; independence declared 30 August 1991 Constitution: adopted NA April 1978 Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: National Parliament (Milli Majlis) was formed on the basis of the National Council (Milli Shura) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President-elect Ebulfez ELCIBEY (since 7 June 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Rahim GUSEYNOV (since 14 May 1992) Political parties and leaders: NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Parliament: last held NA September 1990 (next expected to be held late 1992); results - seats - (360 total) Communists 280, Democratic Bloc 45 (grouping of opposition parties), other 15, vacant 20; note - these figures are approximate President: held 8 September 1991 (next to be held 7 June 1992); results - Ebulfez ELCIBEY (6,390 unofficial) Other political or pressure groups: Self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Member of: CIS, CSCE, IMF, OIC, UN, UNCTAD Diplomatic representation: NA US: Ambassador (vacant); Robert MILES, Charge d'Affaires; Embassy at Hotel Intourist (telephone 8-011-7-8922-91-79-56) plus 8 hours; (mailing address is APO New York is 09862); telephone NA :Azerbaijan Government Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band :Azerbaijan Economy: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 Muslim population, high structural unemployment, and low standard of living. The economy's most prominent products are cotton, oil, and gas. Production from the Caspian oil and gas field has been in decline for several years. With foreign assistance, the oil industry might generate the funds needed to spur industrial development. However, civil unrest, marked by armed conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region between Muslim Azeris and Christian Armenians, makes foreign investors wary. Azerbaijan accounts for 1.5% to 2% of the capital stock and output of the former Soviet Union. Although immediate economic prospects are not favorable because of civil strife, lack of economic reform, political disputes about new economic arrangements, and the skittishness of foreign investors, Azerbaijan's economic performance was the best of all former Soviet republics in 1991 largely because of its reliance on domestic resources for industrial output. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate --0.7% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 87% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $780 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: oil and gas, chemicals, oilfield equipment, textiles, cotton (1991) partners: mostly CIS countries Imports: $2.2 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and parts, consumer durables, foodstuffs, textiles (1991) External debt: $1.3 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.8% (1991) Electricity: 6,025,000 kW capacity; 23,300 million kWh produced, 3,280 kWh per capita (1991) 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 producer of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: NA Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Azerbaijan Communications:Azerbaijan Communications Railroads: 2,090 km (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 36,700 km total (1990); 31,800 km hard surfaced; 4,900 km earth Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: NA Ports: inland - Baku (Baky) Merchant marine: none - landlocked Civil air: none Airports: NA Telecommunications: quality of local telephone service is poor; connections to other former USSR republics by landline or microwave and to countries beyond the former USSR via the Moscow international gateway switch; Azeri and Russian TV broadcasts are received; Turkish and Iranian TV broadcasts are received from INTELSAT through a TV receive-only earth station :Azerbaijan Defense Forces:Azerbaijan Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground, Navy, Air, Air Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA million, NA% of GDP :The Bahamas Geography:The Bahamas Geography Total area: 13,940 km2 Land area: 10,070 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Connecticut Land boundaries: none Coastline: 3,542 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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 NEGL%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 32%; other 67% Environment: subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flood damage Note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain :The Bahamas People:The Bahamas People Population: 255,811 (July 1992), growth rate 1.4% (1992) Birth rate: 19 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992) 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% (1980) Languages: English; some Creole among Haitian immigrants Literacy: 90% (male 90%, female 89%) age 15 and over but definition of literacy not available (1963 est.) Labor force: 127,400; government 30%, hotels and restaurants 25%, business services 10%, agriculture 5% (1989) Organized labor: 25% of labor force :The Bahamas Government:The Bahamas Government Long-form name: The Commonwealth of The Bahamas Type: commonwealth Capital: Nassau Administrative divisions: 21 districts; Abaco, Acklins Island, Andros Island, Berry Islands, Biminis, Cat Island, Cay Lobos, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Harbour Island, Inagua, Long Cay, Long Island, Mayaguana, New Providence, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Spanish Wells Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK) Constitution: 10 July 1973 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: National Day, 10 July (1973) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Acting Governor General Sir Clifford DARLING (since 2 January 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Sir Lynden Oscar PINDLING (since 16 January 1967) Political parties and leaders: Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), Sir Lynden O. PINDLING; Free National Movement (FNM), Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Assembly: last held 19 June 1987 (next to be held by NA June 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(49 total) PLP 32, FNM 17 *** No entry for this item *** Other political or pressure groups: Vanguard Nationalist and Socialist Party (VNSP), a small leftist party headed by Lionel CAREY; Trade Union Congress (TUC), headed by Arlington MILLER Member of: ACP, C, CCC, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Margaret E. McDONALD; Chancery at 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 319-2660; there are Bahamian Consulates General in Miami and New York; :The Bahamas Government:The Bahamas Government US: Ambassador Chic HECHT; Embassy at Mosmar Building, Queen Street, Nassau (mailing address is P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau); telephone (809) 322-1181 or 328-2206; FAX (809) 328-7838 Diplomatic representation: *** No entry for this item *** Flag: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side :The Bahamas Economy:The Bahamas Economy Overview: The Bahamas is a stable, middle-income 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, the per capita GDP of $9,900 is one of the highest in the region. GDP: purchasing power equivalent--$2.5 billion, per capita $9,900; real growth rate 1.0% (1990 est.) *** No entry for this item *** Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.3% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 16.0% (1991) Budget: revenues $627.5 million; expenditures $727.5 million, including capital expenditures of $100 million (1992, projected) *** No entry for this item *** Exports: $306 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.); commodities: pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish; partners: US 41%, Norway 30%, Denmark 4% Imports: $1.14 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.); commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, mineral fuels; partners: US 35%, Nigeria 21%, Japan 13%, Angola 11% External debt: $1.2 billion (December 1990) Industrial production: growth rate 3% (1990); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: 368,000 kw capacity; 857 million kWh produced 3,339 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt production, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral welded steel pipe *** No entry for this item *** Agriculture: accounts for less than 5% of GDP; dominated by small-scale producers; principal products--citrus fruit, vegetables, poultry; large net importer of food *** No entry for this item *** Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-89), $1.0 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $345 million Currency: Bahamian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1--1.00 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: calendar year :The Bahamas Communications:The Bahamas Communications Highways: 2,400 km total; 1,350 km paved, 1,050 km gravel Ports: Freeport, Nassau Merchant marine: 778 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,129,173 GRT/30,002,421 DWT; includes 48 passenger, 19 short-sea passenger, 152 cargo, 37 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 42 container, 6 vehicle carrier, 1 railcar carrier, 172 petroleum tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 16 combination ore/oil, 47 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 143 bulk, 7 combination bulk, 78 refrigerated cargo; note--a flag of convenience registry *** No entry for this item *** Civil air: 11 major transport aircraft Airports: 59 total, 54 usable; 30 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3, 659 m; 26 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: highly developed; 99,000 telephones in totally automatic system; tropospheric scatter and submarine cable links to Florida; broadcast stations--3 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 3 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station *** No entry for this item *** :The Bahamas Defense Forces:The Bahamas Defense Forces Branches: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Branches: Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 68,020; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion--$65 million, 2.7% of GDP (1990) :Bahrain Geography:Bahrain Geography Total area: 620 km2 Land area: 620 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specific Territorial sea: 3 nm Disputes: territorial dispute with Qatar over the Hawar Islands; maritime boundary with Qatar Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment 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%, includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: subsurface water sources being rapidly depleted (requires development of desalination facilities); dust storms; desertification Note: close to primary Middle Eastern crude oil sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf through which much of Western world's crude oil must transit to reach open ocean :Bahrain People:Bahrain People Population: 551,513 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 7 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 21 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Bahraini(s); adjective - Bahraini Ethnic divisions: Bahraini 63%, Asian 13%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%, other 6% Religions: Muslim (Shi`a 70%, Sunni 30%) Languages: Arabic (official); English also widely spoken; Farsi, Urdu Literacy: 77% (male 82%, female 69%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 140,000; 42% of labor force is Bahraini; industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 3% (1982) Organized labor: General Committee for Bahrain Workers exists in only eight major designated companies :Bahrain Government:Bahrain Government Long-form name: State of Bahrain Type: traditional monarchy Capital: Manama Administrative divisions: 12 districts (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa`wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat `Isa, Mintaqat Juzur Hawar, Sitrah Independence: 15 August 1971 (from UK) Constitution: 26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973 Legal system: based on Islamic law and English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 16 December Executive branch: amir, crown prince and heir apparent, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet Judicial branch: High Civil Appeals Court Leaders: Chief of State: Amir `ISA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 2 November 1961); Heir Apparent HAMAD bin `Isa Al Khalifa (son of Amir; born 28 January 1950) Head of Government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 19 January 1970) Political parties and leaders: political parties prohibited; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active Suffrage: none Elections: none Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador `Abd al-Rahman Faris Al KHALIFA; Chancery at 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 342-0741 or 342-0742; there is a Bahraini Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Dr. Charles W. HOSTLER; Embassy at Road No. 3119 (next to Alahli Sports Club), Zinj; (mailing address is P. O. 26431, Manama, or FPO AE 09834-6210); telephone [973] 273-300; FAX (973) 272-594 Flag: red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the hoist side :Bahrain Economy:Bahrain Economy Overview: Petroleum production and processing account for about 80% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 31% of GDP. Economic conditions have fluctuated with the changing fortunes of oil since 1985, for example, the Gulf crisis of 1990-91. The liberation of Kuwait in early 1991 has improved short- to medium-term prospects and has raised investors' confidence. Bahrain with its highly developed communication and transport facilities is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. A large share of exports is petroleum products made from imported crude. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $4.0 billion, per capita $7,500 (1990); real growth rate 6.7% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1989) Unemployment rate: 8-10% (1989) Budget: revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $1.32 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989) Exports: $3.7 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 80%, aluminum 7%, other 13% partners: UAE 18%, Japan 12%, India 11%, US 6% Imports: $3.7 billion (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: nonoil 59%, crude oil 41% partners: Saudi Arabia 41%, US 23%, Japan 8%, UK 8% External debt: $1.1 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.8% (1988); accounts for 44% of GDP Electricity: 3,600,000 kW capacity; 10,500 million kWh produced, 21,000 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing Agriculture: including fishing, accounts for less than 2% of GDP; not self-sufficient in food production; heavily subsidized sector produces fruit, vegetables, poultry, dairy products, shrimp, and fish; fish catch 9,000 metric tons in 1987 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-79), $24 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $45 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $9.8 billion Currency: Bahraini dinar (plural - dinars); 1 Bahraini dinar (BD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: Bahraini dinars (BD) per US$1 - 0.3760 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: calendar year :Bahrain Communications:Bahrain Communications Highways: 200 km bituminous surfaced, including 25 km bridge-causeway to Saudi Arabia opened in November 1986; NA km natural surface tracks Pipelines: crude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas 32 km Ports: Mina' Salman, Manama, Sitrah Merchant marine: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 186,367 GRT/249,441 DWT; includes 5 cargo, 2 container, 1 liquefied gas, 1 bulk Civil air: 27 major transport aircraft Airports: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent international telecommunications; good domestic services; 98,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT; tropospheric scatter to Qatar, UAE, and microwave to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia :Bahrain Defense Forces:Bahrain Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense, Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 190,937; 105,857 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $194 million, 6% of GDP (1990) :Baker Island Geography:Baker Island Geography Total area: 1.4 km2 Land area: 1.4 km2 Comparative area: about 2.3 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 4.8 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: treeless, sparse and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; lacks fresh water; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife Note: remote location 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, just north of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia :Baker Island People:Baker Island People Population: uninhabited; 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 :Baker Island Government:Baker Island Government Long-form name: none Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC :Baker Island Economy:Baker Island Economy Overview: no economic activity :Baker Island Communications:Baker Island Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only, one boat landing area along the middle of the west coast Airports: 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m Telecommunications: there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast :Baker Island Defense Forces:Baker Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard :Bangladesh Geography:Bangladesh Geography Total area: 144,000 km2 Land area: 133,910 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Wisconsin Land boundaries: 4,246 km total; Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km Coastline: 580 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 18 nm Continental shelf: up to outer limits of continental margin Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: a portion of the boundary with India is in dispute; water sharing problems with upstream riparian India over the Ganges Climate: tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); cool, rainy monsoon (June to October) Terrain: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast Natural resources: natural gas, uranium, arable land, timber Land use: arable land 67%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest and woodland 16%; other 11%; includes irrigated 14% Environment: vulnerable to droughts; much of country routinely flooded during summer monsoon season; overpopulation; deforestation Note: almost completely surrounded by India :Bangladesh People:Bangladesh People Population: 119,411,711 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 36 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 112 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 55 years male, 54 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Bangladeshi(s); adjective - Bangladesh Ethnic divisions: Bengali 98%, Biharis 250,000, and tribals less than 1 million Religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, Buddhist, Christian, and other less than 1% Languages: Bangla (official), English widely used Literacy: 35% (male 47%, female 22%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 35,100,000; agriculture 74%, services 15%, industry and commerce 11% (FY86); extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman (1991) Organized labor: 3% of labor force belongs to 2,614 registered unions (1986 est.) :Bangladesh Government:Bangladesh Government Long-form name: People's Republic of Bangladesh Type: republic Capital: Dhaka Administrative divisions: 64 districts (zillagulo, singular - zilla); Bagerhat, Bandarban, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Bogra, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Chapai Nawabganj, Chattagram, Chuadanga, Comilla, Cox's Bazar, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Faridpur, Feni, Gaibandha, Gazipur, Gopalganj, Habiganj, Jaipurhat, Jamalpur, Jessore, Jhalakati, Jhenaidah, Khagrachari, Khulna, Kishorganj, Kurigram, Kushtia, Laksmipur, Lalmonirhat, Madaripur, Magura, Manikganj, Meherpur, Moulavibazar, Munshiganj, Mymensingh, Naogaon, Narail, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Nator, Netrakona, Nilphamari, Noakhali, Pabna, Panchagar, Parbattya Chattagram, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Rajbari, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Satkhira, Shariyatpur, Sherpur, Sirajganj, Sunamganj, Sylhet, Tangail, Thakurgaon Independence: 16 December 1971 (from Pakistan; formerly East Pakistan) Constitution: 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended NA March 1991 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 26 March (1971) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Abdur Rahman BISWAS (since 8 October 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Khaleda ZIAUR Rahman (since 20 March 1991) Political parties and leaders: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda ZIAUR Rahman; Awami League (AL), Sheikh Hasina WAZED; Jatiyo Party (JP), Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD; Jamaat-E-Islami (JI), Ali KHAN; Bangladesh Communist Party (BCP), Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK; National Awami Party (Muzaffar); Workers Party, leader NA; Jatiyo Samajtantik Dal (National Socialist Party - SIRAJ), M. A. JALIL; Ganotantri Party, leader NA; Islami Oikya Jote, leader NA; National Democratic Party (NDP), leader NA; Muslim League, Khan A. SABUR; Democratic League, Khondakar MUSHTAQUE Ahmed; United People's Party, Kazi ZAFAR Ahmed Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Parliament: last held 27 February 1991 (next to be held NA February 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (330 total, 300 elected and 30 seats reserved for women) BNP 168, AL 93, JP 35, JI 20, CBP 5, National Awami Party (Muzaffar) 1, Workers Party 1, SIRAJ 1, Ganotantri Party 1, Islami Oikya Jote 1, NDP 1, independents 3 President: last held 8 October 1991 (next to be held by NA October 1996); results - Abdur Rahman BISWAS received 52.1% of parliamentary vote :Bangladesh Government:Bangladesh Government Communists: 5,000 members (1987 est.) Member of: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WHO, WFTU, WIPO, WCL, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Abul AHSAN; Chancery at 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 342-8372 through 8376; there is a Bangladesh Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador William B. MILAM; Embassy at Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka (mailing address is G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1212); telephone [880] (2) 884700-22; FAX [880] (2) 883648 Flag: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; green is the traditional color of Islam :Bangladesh Economy:Bangladesh Economy Overview: Bangladesh is one of the poorest nations in the world. The economy is based on the output of a narrow range of agricultural products, such as jute, which is the main cash crop and major source of export earnings, and rice. Bangladesh is hampered by a relative lack of natural resources, population growth of more than 2% a year, large-scale unemployment, and a limited infrastructure; furthermore, it is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. Despite these constraints, real GDP growth averaged about 3.5% annually during 1985-89. A strong agricultural performance in FY90 pushed the growth rate up to 6.2%, and FY91 saw further, though smaller, increases in output. Alleviation of poverty remains the cornerstone of the government's development strategy. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $23.1 billion, per capita $200; real growth rate 3.2% (FY91) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.9% (FY91 est.) Unemployment rate: 30%, including underemployment (FY90 est.) Budget: revenues $2.24 billion; expenditures $3.7 billion (FY91) Exports: $1.7 billion (FY91 est.) commodities: garments, jute and jute goods, leather, shrimp partners: US 32%, Italy 8.1%, UK 6.2% (FY90) Imports: $3.5 billion (FY91 est.) commodities: capital goods, petroleum, food, textiles partners: Japan 9.2%, India 6.2%, Singapore 5.9%, US 5.7% External debt: $11.1 billion (FY91 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1% (FY91 est.); accounts for 10% of GDP Electricity: 1,990,000 kW capacity; 5,700 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel, fertilizer Agriculture: accounts for about 40% of GDP, 70% of employment, and one-third of exports; imports 10% of food grain requirements; world's largest exporter of jute; commercial products - jute, rice, wheat, tea, sugarcane, potatoes, beef, milk, poultry; shortages include wheat, vegetable oils and cotton; fish catch 778,000 metric tons in 1986 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.4 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $11.65 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $6.52 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $1.5 billion Currency: taka (plural - taka); 1 taka (Tk) = 100 paise Exchange rates: taka (Tk) per US$1 - 38.800 (January 1992), 36.596 (1991), 34.569 (1990), 32.270 (1989), 31.733 (1988), 30.950 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Bangladesh Communications:Bangladesh Communications Railroads: 2,892 km total (1986); 1,914 km 1.000 meter gauge, 978 km 1.676 meter broad gauge Highways: 7,240 km total (1985); 3,840 km paved, 3,400 km unpaved 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: Chittagong, Chalna Merchant marine: 44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 328,382 GRT/479,985 DWT; includes 36 cargo, 2 petroleum tanker, 3 refrigerated cargo, 3 bulk Civil air: 15 major transport aircraft Airports: 16 total, 12 usable; 12 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 6 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate international radio communications and landline service; fair domestic wire and microwave service; fair broadcast service; 241,250 telephones; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 6 FM, 11 TV; 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT satellite earth stations :Bangladesh Defense Forces:Bangladesh Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force; paramilitary forces - Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Armed Police Reserve, Coastal Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 29,891,224; 17,745,343 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $339 million, 1.5% of GDP (FY92 budget) :Barbados Geography:Barbados Geography Total area: 430 km2 Land area: 430 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 97 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region Natural resources: crude oil, fishing, natural gas Land use: arable land 77%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 9%; forest and woodland 0%; other 14% Environment: subject to hurricanes (especially June to October) Note: easternmost Caribbean island :Barbados People:Barbados People Population: 254,934 (July 1992), growth rate 0.1% (1992) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: --6 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Barbadian(s); adjective - Barbadian Ethnic divisions: African 80%, mixed 16%, European 4% Religions: Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%; none 17%, unknown 3%, other 9% (1980) Languages: English Literacy: 99% (male 99%, female 99%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 120,900 (1991); services and government 37%; commerce 22%; manufacturing and construction 22%; transportation, storage, communications, and financial institutions 9%; agriculture 8%; utilities 2% (1985 est.) Organized labor: 32% of labor force :Barbados Government:Barbados Government Long-form name: none Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Bridgetown Administrative divisions: 11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas; note - there may be a new city of Bridgetown Independence: 30 November 1966 (from UK) Constitution: 30 November 1966 Legal system: English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: Independence Day, 30 November (1966) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Nita BARROW (since 6 June 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister Lloyd Erskine SANDIFORD (since 2 June 1987) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Labor Party (DLP), Erskine SANDIFORD; Barbados Labor Party (BLP), Henry FORDE; National Democratic Party (NDP), Richie HAYNES Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Assembly: last held 22 January 1991 (next to be held by January 1996); results - DLP 49.8%; seats - (28 total) DLP 18, BLP 10 Other political or pressure groups: Industrial and General Workers Union, Sir Frank WALCOTT; People's Progressive Movement, Eric SEALY; Workers' Party of Barbados, Dr. George BELLE Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Dr. Rudi WEBSTER; Chancery at 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-9200 through 9202; there is a Barbadian Consulate General in New York and a Consulate in Los Angeles US: Ambassador G. Philip HUGHES; Embassy at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown (mailing address is P. O. Box 302, Box B, FPO AA 34054); telephone (809) 436-4950 through 4957; FAX (809) 429-5246 :Barbados Government:Barbados Government 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:Barbados Economy Overview: A per capita income of $6,500 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. The tourist industry is now a major employer of the labor force and a primary source of foreign exchange. The economy slowed in 1990-91, however, and Bridgetown's declining hard currency reserves and inability to finance its deficits have caused it to adopt an austere economic reform program. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $1.7 billion, per capita $6,500; real growth rate--3.1% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (1990) Unemployment rate: 18% (1991) Budget: revenues $514 million; expenditures $615 million (FY91-92) Exports: $210.6 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: sugar and molasses, chemicals, electrical components, clothing, rum, machinery and transport equipment partners: CARICOM 30%, US 20%, UK 20% Imports: $704 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer durables, raw materials, machinery, crude oil, construction materials, chemicals partners: US 35%, CARICOM 13%, UK 12%, Japan 6%, Canada 8%, Venezuela 4% External debt: $539.9 million (1990) Industrial production: growth rate--2.7% (1990); accounts for 14% of GDP Electricity: 152,100 kW capacity; 539 million kWh produced, 2,117 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP; major cash crop is sugarcane; other crops - vegetables and cotton; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $15 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $171 million Currency: Barbadian dollars (plural - dollars); 1 Barbadian dollar (Bds$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Barbadian dollars (Bds$) per US$1 - 2.0113 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Barbados Communications:Barbados Communications Highways: 1,570 km total; 1,475 km paved, 95 km gravel and earth Ports: Bridgetown Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,200 GRT/7,338 DWT Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: islandwide automatic telephone system with 89,000 telephones; tropospheric scatter link to Trinidad and Saint Lucia; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 2 (1 is pay) TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Barbados Defense Forces:Barbados Defense Forces Branches: Royal Barbados Defense Force, Coast Guard, Royal Barbados Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 69,678; 48,803 fit for military service, no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $10 million, 0.7% of GDP (1989) :Bassas da India Geography:Bassas da India Geography Total area: NA Land area: undetermined Comparative area: undetermined Land boundaries: none Coastline: 35.2 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 Disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: a volcanic rock 2.4 m high Natural resources: none Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other (rock) 100% Environment: surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones Note: navigational hazard since it is usually under water during high tide; located in southern Mozambique Channel about halfway between Africa and Madagascar :Bassas da India People:Bassas da India People Population: uninhabited :Bassas da India Government:Bassas da India Government Long-form name: none Type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE (since July 1991), resident in Reunion Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion :Bassas da India Economy:Bassas da India Economy Overview: no economic activity :Bassas da India Communications:Bassas da India Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only :Bassas da India Defense Forces:Bassas da India Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Belarus Geography:Belarus Geography Total area: 207,600 km2 Land area: 207,600 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Kansas Land boundaries: 3,098 km total; Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 605 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: mild and moist; transitional between continental and maritime Terrain: generally flat and contains much marshland Natural resources: forest land and peat deposits Land use: arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest and woodland NA%; other NA%; includes irrigated NA% Environment: southern part of Belarus highly contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl' Note: landlocked :Belarus People:Belarus People Population: 10,373,881 (July 1992), growth rate 0.5% (1992) Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 20 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Belarusian(s); adjective - Belarusian Ethnic divisions: Byelorussian 77.9%, Russian 13.2%, Poles 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.9%, Jews 1.1%, other 0.8% Religions: Russian Orthodox NA%, unknown NA%, none NA%, other NA% Languages: Byelorussian NA%, Russian NA%, other NA% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 5,418,000; industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1990) Organized labor: NA :Belarus Government:Belarus Government Long-form name: Republic of Belarus Type: republic Capital: Mensk Administrative divisions: 6 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast'); Brest, Gomel', Grodno, Minsk, Mogilev, Vitebsk; note - all oblasts have the same name as their administrative center Independence: 1 January 1919 Belorussian Republic; 30 December 1922 joined with the USSR; 25 August 1991 redeclared independence Constitution: adopted April 1978 Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: 24 August (1991) Executive branch: NA Legislative branch: unicameral with 360 seats Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: Chairman of the Supreme Soviet Stanislav S. SHUSHKEVICH (since NA 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Vyacheslav F. KEBICH (since NA April 1990), First Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail MYASNIKOVICH (since early 1991) Political parties and leaders: Belarusian Popular Front, Zenon POZNYAK, chairman; United Democratic Party, Stanislav GUSAK, co-chairman; Social Democratic Gramada, Mikhail TKACHEV, chairman; Belarus Workers Union, Mikhail SOBOL, Chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: NA Supreme Soviet: last held 4 March 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (360 total) number of seats by party NA; note - 50 seats are for public bodies Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CE, CIS, CSCE, ECE, IAEA, ILO, INMARSAT, IOC, ITU, NACC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Martynov; Chancery at NA NW, Washington, DC 200__; telephone NA US: Ambassador (vacant); David SWARTZ, Charge d'Affaires; Embassy at Hotel Belarus (telephone 8-011-7-0172-69-08-02) plus 7 hours; (mailing address is APO New York is 09862); telephone NA Flag: white, red, and white :Belarus Economy:Belarus Economy Overview: In many ways Belarus resembles the three Baltic states, for example, in its industrial competence, its higher-than-average standard of living, and its critical dependence on the other former Soviet states for fuels and raw materials. Belarus ranks fourth in gross output among the former Soviet republics, producing 4% of the total GDP and employing 4% of the labor force. Once a mainly agricultural area, it now supplies important producer and consumer goods - sometimes as the sole producer - to the other states. The soil in Belarus is not as fertile as the black earth of Ukraine, but by emphasizing favorable crops and livestock (especially pigs and chickens), Belarus has become a net exporter to the other republics of meat, milk, eggs, flour, and potatoes. Belarus produces only small amounts of oil and gas and receives most of its fuel from Russia through the Druzhba oil pipeline and the Northern Lights gas pipeline. These pipelines transit Belarus enroute to Eastern Europe. Belarus produces petrochemicals, plastics, synthetic fibers (nearly 30% of former Soviet output), and fertilizer (20% of former Soviet output). Raw material resources are limited to potash and peat deposits. The peat (more than one-third of the total for the former Soviet Union) is used in domestic heating as boiler fuel for electric power stations and in the production of chemicals. The potash supports fertilizer production. GDP: NA - $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate --2% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 81% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA million; expenditures $NA million, including capital expenditures of $NA million Exports: $4.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs partners: NA Imports: $5.6 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery, chemicals, textiles partners: NA External debt: $2.6 billion (end of 1991) Industrial production: growth rate --1.5% (1991) Electricity: 7,500,000 kW capacity; 38,700 million kWh produced, 3,770 kWh per capita (1991) :Belarus Economy:Belarus Economy Industries: employ about 27% of labor force and produce a wide variety of products essential to the other states; products include (in percent share of total output of former Soviet Union): tractors(12%); metal-cutting machine tools (11%); off-highway dump trucksup 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 5.7% of total agricultural output of former Soviet Union; employs 29% 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, and potatoes Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: NA Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Belarus Communications:Belarus Communications Railroads: 5,570 km (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 98,200 km total (1990); 66,100 km hard surfaced, 32,100 km earth Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: NA Ports: none - landlocked Merchant marine: none - landlocked Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: NA Telecommunications: telephone network has 1.7 million lines, 15% of which are switched automatically; Minsk has 450,000 lines; telephone density is approximately 17 per 100 persons; as of 31 January 1990, 721,000 applications from households for telephones were still unsatisfied; international connections to other former Soviet republics are by landline or microwave and to other countries by leased connection through the Moscow international gateway switch :Belarus Defense Forces:Belarus Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops); CIS Forces (Ground, Air, Air Defense, Strategic Rocket) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Belgium Geography:Belgium Geography Total area: 30,510 km2 Land area: 30,230 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: 1,385 km total; France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km Coastline: 64 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specific Exclusive fishing zone: equidistant line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast) Territorial sea: 12 nm 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%, includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: air and water pollution Note: majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels; crossroads of Western Europe; Brussels is the seat of the EC :Belgium People:Belgium People Population: 10,016,623 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 80 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Belgian(s); adjective - Belgian Ethnic divisions: Fleming 55%, Walloon 33%, mixed or other 12% Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, remainder Protestant or other Languages: Flemish (Dutch) 56%, French 32%, German 1%; legally bilingual 11%; divided along ethnic lines Literacy: 99% (male 99%, female 99%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 4,126,000; services 63.6%, industry 28%, construction 6.1%, agriculture 2.3% (1988) Organized labor: 70% of labor force :Belgium Government:Belgium Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Belgium Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Brussels Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (French - provinces, singular - province; Flemish - provincien, singular - provincie); Antwerpen, Brabant, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, West-Vlaanderen Independence: 4 October 1830 (from the Netherlands) Constitution: 7 February 1831, last revised 8-9 August 1980; the government is in the process of revising the Constitution with the aim of federalizing the Belgian state Legal system: civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: National Day, 21 July (ascension of King Leopold to the throne in 1831) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, three deputy prime ministers, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Flemish - Senaat, French - Senat) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Representatives (Flemish - Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers, French - Chambre des Representants) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Flemish - Hof van Cassatie, French - Cour de Cassation) Leaders: Chief of State: King BAUDOUIN I (since 17 July 1951); Heir Apparent Prince ALBERT of Liege (brother of the King; born 6 June 1934) Head of Government: Prime Minister Jean-Luc DEHAENE (since 6 March 1992) Political parties and leaders: Flemish Social Christian (CVP), Herman van ROMPUY, president; Walloon Social Christian (PSC) , Gerard DEPREZ, president; Flemish Socialist (SP), Frank VANDENBROUCKE, president; Walloon Socialist (PS), NA; Flemish Liberal (PVV), Guy VERHOF STADT, president; Walloon Liberal (PRL), Antoine DUQUESNE, president; Francophone Democratic Front (FDF), Georges CLERFAYT, president; Volksunie (VU), Jaak GABRIELS, president; Communist Party (PCB), Louis van GEYT, president; Vlaams Blok (VB), Karel DILLEN, chairman; ROSSEM, Jean Pierre VAN ROSSEM; National Front (FN), Werner van STEEN; Live Differently (AGALEV), Leo COX; Ecologist (ECOLO), NA; other minor parties Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: Chamber of Representatives: last held 24 November 1991 (next to be held by November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (212 total) number of seats by party NA Senate: last held 24 November 1991 (next to be held by November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (106 total) number of seats by party NA :Belgium Government:Belgium Government Other political or pressure groups: Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as the Flemish Action Committee Against Nuclear Weapons and Pax Christi Member of: ACCT, AfDB, AG, AsDB, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-9, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Juan CASSIERS; Chancery at 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 333-6900; there are Belgian Consulates General in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York US: Ambassador Bruce S. GELB; Embassy at 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels (mailing address is APO AE 09724); telephone [32] (2) 513-3830; FAX [32] (2) 511-2725; there is a US Consulate General in Antwerp Flag: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France :Belgium Economy: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 essential raw materials, making its economy closely dependent on the state of world markets. Over 70% of trade is with other EC countries. During the period 1988-90, Belgium's economic performance was marked by 4% average growth, moderate inflation, and a substantial external surplus. Growth fell to 1.4% in 1991. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $171.8 billion, per capita $17,300; real growth rate 1.4% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.2% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.4% est. (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $45.0 billion; expenditures $55.3 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (1989) Exports: $118 billion (f.o.b., 1990) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union commodities: iron and steel, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds, petroleum products partners: EC 74%, US 5%, former Communist countries 2% (1989) Imports: $120 billion (c.i.f., 1990) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union commodities: fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffs partners: EC 73%, US 4%, oil-exporting less developed countries 4%, former Communist countries 3% (1989) External debt: $28.8 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.2% (1991 est.); accounts for almost 30% of GDP Electricity: 17,400,000 kW capacity; 67,100 million kWh produced, 6,767 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: engineering and metal products, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal Agriculture: accounts for 2.3% of GDP; emphasis on livestock production - beef, veal, pork, milk; major crops are sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, and tobacco; net importer of farm products Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $5.8 billion Currency: Belgian franc (plural - francs); 1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Belgian francs (BF) per US$1 - 32.462 (January 1992), 34.148 (1991), 33.418 (1990), 39.404 (1989), 36.768 (1988), 37.334 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Belgium Communications:Belgium Communications Railroads: Belgian National Railways (SNCB) operates 3,667 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, government owned; 2,563 km double track; 1,978 km electrified; 191 km 1.000-meter gauge, government owned and operated Highways: 103,396 km total; 1,317 km limited access, divided autoroute; 11,717 km national highway; 1,362 km provincial road; about 38,000 km paved and 51,000 km unpaved rural roads Inland waterways: 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) Pipelines: petroleum products 1,167 km; crude oil 161 km; natural gas 3,300 km Ports: Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, Oostende, Zeebrugge Merchant marine: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 62,979 GRT/88,738 DWT; includes 10 cargo, 4 petroleum tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 5 chemical tanker, 1 bulk, 2 refrigerated cargo Civil air: 47 major transport aircraft Airports: 42 total, 42 usable; 24 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 14 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities; extensive cable network; limited radio relay network; 4,720,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 39 FM, 32 TV; 5 submarine cables; 2 satellite earth stations - Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and EUTELSAT systems; nationwide mobile phone system :Belgium Defense Forces:Belgium Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,550,088; 2,133,483 fit for military service; 66,249 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $4.2 billion, 2.7% of GDP (1991) :Belize Geography:Belize Geography Total area: 22,960 km2 Land area: 22,800 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Massachusetts Land boundaries: 516 km total; Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm in the north and 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Caye, Belize's territorial sea is 3 miles; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with the Republic of Guatemala'' Disputes: claimed by Guatemala, but boundary negotiations to resolve the dispute have begun 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 NEGL%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest and woodland 44%; other 52%, includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: frequent devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal flooding (especially in south); deforestation Note: national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize City to Belmopan because of hurricanes; only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean :Belize People:Belize People Population: 229,143 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992) Birth rate: 31 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 30 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 73 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Belizean(s); adjective - Belizean Ethnic divisions: Creole 39.7%, Mestizo 33.1%, Maya 9.5%, Garifuna 7.6%, East Indian 2.1%, other 8.0% Religions: Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, unknown 3%, other 3% (1980) Languages: English (official), Spanish, Maya, Garifuna (Carib) Literacy: 91% (male 91%, female 91%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 51,500; agriculture 30.0%, services 16.0%, government 15.4%, commerce 11.2%, manufacturing 10.3%; shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1985) Organized labor: 12% of labor force; 7 unions currently active :Belize Government:Belize Government Long-form name: none Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Belmopan Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK; formerly British Honduras) Constitution: 21 September 1981 Legal system: English law National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Elmira Minita GORDON (since 21 September 1981) Head of Government: Prime Minister George Cadle PRICE (since 4 September 1989) Political parties and leaders: People's United Party (PUP), George PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA; United Democratic Party (UDP), Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean BARROW; Belize Popular Party (BPP), Louis SYLVESTRE Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Assembly: last held 4 September 1989 (next to be held September 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28 total) PUP 15, UDP 13; note - in January 1990 one member expelled from UDP joined PUP, making the seat count PUP 16, UDP 12 Other political or pressure groups: Society for the Promotion of Education and Research (SPEAR) headed by former PUP minister; United Workers Front Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador James V. HYDE; Chancery at 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-9636 US: Ambassador Eugene L. SCASSA; Embassy at Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City (mailing address is P. O. Box 286, Belize City); telephone [501] (2) 77161; FAX [501] (2) 30802 Flag: on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland :Belize Government:Belize Government 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 RA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) :Belize Economy:Belize Economy Overview: The economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasing importance. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides 75% of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for almost 40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading partner, is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with an agricultural diversification program. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $373 million, per capita $1,635; real growth rate 10% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 12% (1988) Budget: revenues $126.8 million; expenditures $123.1 million, including capital expenditures of $44.8 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $134 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: sugar, clothing, seafood, molasses, citrus, wood and wood products partners: US 47%, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada (1987) Imports: $194 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, food, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals partners: US 56%, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Mexico (1991) External debt: $142 million (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate 9.7% (1989); accounts for 16% of GDP Electricity: 34,532 kW capacity; 90 million kWh produced, 395 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: garment production, citrus concentrates, sugar refining, rum, beverages, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 30% of GDP (including fish and forestry); commercial crops include sugarcane, bananas, coca, citrus fruits; expanding output of lumber and cultured shrimp; net importer of basic foods Illicit drugs: an illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; eradication program cut marijuana production from 200 metric tons in 1987 to about 50 metric tons in 1991; transshipment point for cocaine Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $104 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $215 million Currency: Belizean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Belize Communications:Belize Communications Highways: 2,710 km total; 500 km paved, 1,600 km gravel, 300 km improved earth, and 310 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable Ports: Belize City; additional ports for shallow draught craft include Corozol, Punta Gorda, Big Creek Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,127 GRT/5,885 DWT Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 44 total, 34 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 8,650 telephones; above-average system based on radio relay; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 5 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Belize Defense Forces:Belize Defense Forces Branches: British Forces Belize, Belize Defense Force (including Army, Navy, Air Force, and Volunteer Guard) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 55,333; 33,040 fit for military service; 2,509 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $4.8 million, 1.8% of GDP (FY91) :Benin Geography:Benin Geography Total area: 112,620 km2 Land area: 110,620 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: 1,989 km total; Burkina 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km Coastline: 121 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm 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%, includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter; deforestation; desertification Note: recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north; no natural harbors :Benin People:Benin People Population: 4,997,599 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992) Birth rate: 49 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 115 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 49 years male, 53 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Beninese (singular and plural); adjective - Beninese Ethnic divisions: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba); Europeans 5,500 Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15% Languages: French (official); Fon and Yoruba most common vernaculars in south; at least six major tribal languages in north Literacy: 23% (male 32%, female 16%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,900,000 (1987); agriculture 60%, transport, commerce, and public services 38%, industry less than 2%; 49% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: about 75% of wage earners :Benin Government:Benin Government Long-form name: Republic of Benin Type: republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991 Capital: Porto-Novo Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme, Zou Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France; formerly Dahomey) Constitution: 2 December 1990 Legal system: based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 1 August (1990) Executive branch: president, cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Nicephore SOGLO (since 4 April 1991) Political parties and leaders: Alliance of the Democratic Union for the Forces of Progress (UDFP), Timothee ADANLIN; Movement for Democracy and Social Progress (MDPS), Jean-Roger AHOYO; and the Union for Liberty and Development (ULD), Marcellin DEGBE; Alliance of the National Party for Democracy and Development (PNDD) and the Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Pascal Chabi KAO; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Union for Solidarity and Progress (UNSP), Bruno AMOUSSOU; Our Common Cause (NCC), Albert TEVOEDJRE; National Rally for Democracy (RND), Joseph KEKE; Alliance of the National Movement for Democracy and Development (MNDD), Bertin BORNA; Movement for Solidarity, Union, and Progress (MSUP), Adebo ADENIYI; and Union for Democracy and National Reconstruction (UDRN), Azaria FAKOREDE; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity (UDS), Mama Amadou N'DIAYE; Assembly of Liberal Democrats for National Reconstruction (RDL), Severin ADJOVI; Alliance of the Alliance for Social Democracy (ASD), Robert DOSSOU, and Bloc for Social Democracy (BSD), Michel MAGNIDE; Alliance of the Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP), Akindes ADEKPEDJOU, and Democratic Union for Social Renewal (UDRS), Bio Gado Seko N'GOYE; National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP), Robert TAGNON; numerous other small parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Assembly: last held 10 and 24 March 1991; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (64 total) UDFP-MDPS-ULD 12, PNDD/PRD 9, PSD/UNSP 8, NCC 7, RND 7, MNDD/MSUP/UDRN 6, UDS 5, RDL 4, ASD/BSD 3, ADP/UDRS 2, UNDP 1 President: last held 10 and 24 March 1991; results - Nicephore SOGLO 68%, Mathieu KEREKOU 32% Communists: Communist Party of Dahomey (PCD) remains active :Benin Government:Benin Government Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Candide AHOUANSOU; Chancery at 2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-6656 US: Ambassador Harriet W. ISOM; Embassy at Rue Caporal Anani Bernard, Cotonou (mailing address is B. P. 2012, Cotonou); telephone [229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92; FAX [229] 30-14-39 and 30-19-74 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side :Benin Economy Overview: Benin is one of the least developed countries in the world because of limited natural resources and a poorly developed infrastructure. Agriculture accounts for about 35% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and generates a major share of foreign exchange earnings. The industrial sector contributes only about 15% to GDP and employs 2% of the work force. Low prices in recent years have kept down hard currency earnings from Benin's major exports of agricultural products and crude oil. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.0 billion, per capita $410; real growth rate 3% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.0% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $194 million; expenditures $390 million, including capital expenditures of $104 million (1990 est.) Exports: $263.3 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: crude oil, cotton, palm products, cocoa partners: FRG 36%, France 16%, Spain 14%, Italy 8%, UK 4% Imports: $428 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediate goods, capital goods, light consumer goods partners: France 34%, Netherlands 10%, Japan 7%, Italy 6%, US 4% External debt: $1.0 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate --0.7% (1988); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: 30,000 kW capacity; 25 million kWh produced, 5 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, cigarettes, construction materials, beverages, food production, petroleum Agriculture: small farms produce 90% of agricultural output; production is dominated by food crops - corn, sorghum, cassava, beans, and rice; cash crops include cotton, palm oil, and peanuts; poultry and livestock output has not kept up with consumption Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $46 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,300 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $101 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Benin Communications:Benin Communications Railroads: 578 km, all 1.000-meter gauge, single track Highways: 5,050 km total; 920 km paved, 2,600 laterite, 1,530 km improved earth Inland waterways: navigable along small sections, important only locally Ports: Cotonou Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 6 total, 5 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system of open wire, submarine cable, and radio relay; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Benin Defense Forces:Benin Defense Forces Branches: Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: eligible 15-49, 2,165,515; of the 1,031,738 males 15-49, 528,366 are fit for military service; of the 1,133,777 females 15-49, 572,603 are fit for military service; about 55,697 males and 53,786 females reach military age (18) annually; both sexes are liable for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.7% of GDP (1988 est.) :Bermuda Geography:Bermuda Geography Total area: 50 km2 Land area: 50 km2 Comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 103 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions 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% Environment: ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; consists of about 360 small coral islands Note: 1,050 km east of North Carolina; some reclaimed land leased by US Government :Bermuda People:Bermuda People Population: 60,213 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 13 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 77 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Bermudian(s); adjective - Bermudian Ethnic divisions: black 61%, white and other 39% Religions: Anglican 37%, Roman Catholic 14%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) 10%, Methodist 6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, other 28% Languages: English Literacy: 98% (male 98%, female 99%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970) Labor force: 32,000; clerical 25%, services 22%, laborers 21%, professional and technical 13%, administrative and managerial 10%, sales 7%, agriculture and fishing 2% (1984) Organized labor: 8,573 members (1985); largest union is Bermuda Industrial Union :Bermuda Government:Bermuda Government Long-form name: none Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Hamilton Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 8 June 1968 Legal system: English law National holiday: Bermuda Day, 22 May Executive branch: British monarch, governor, deputy governor, premier, deputy premier, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Lord David WADDINGTON Head of Government: Premier John William David SWAN (since January 1982) Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party (UBP), John W. D. SWAN; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), Frederick WADE; National Liberal Party (NLP), Gilbert DARRELL Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: House of Assembly: last held 9 February 1989 (next to be held by February 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (40 total) UBP 23, PLP 15, NLP 1, other 1 Other political or pressure groups: Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), headed by Ottiwell SIMMONS Member of: CARICOM (observer), CCC, ICFTU, IOC Diplomatic representation: as a dependent territory of the UK, Bermuda's interests in the US are represented by the UK US: Consul General L. Ebersole GAINES; Consulate General at Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton (mailing address is P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; PSC 1002, FPO AE 09727-1002); telephone (809) 295-1342; FAX (809) 295-1592 Flag: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag :Bermuda Economy: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. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $1.3 billion, per capita $22,400; real growth rate 2.0% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.8% (June 1989, annual rate) Unemployment rate: 2.0% (1988) Budget: revenues $361.6 million; expenditures $396.1 million, including capital expenditures of $74.1 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $30 million (f.o.b., FY88) commodities: semitropical produce, light manufactures partners: US 25%, Italy 25%, UK 14%, Canada 5%, other 31% Imports: $420 million (c.i.f., FY88) commodities: fuel, foodstuffs, machinery partners: US 58%, Netherlands Antilles 9%, UK 8%, Canada 6%, Japan 5%, other 14% External debt: NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 154,000 kW capacity; 504 million kWh produced, 8,625 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing Agriculture: accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods must be imported; produces bananas, vegetables, citrus fruits, flowers, dairy products Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $34 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $277 million Currency: Bermudian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Bermuda Communications:Bermuda Communications Highways: 210 km public roads, all paved (about 400 km of private roads) Ports: Freeport, Hamilton, Saint George Merchant marine: 73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,511,972 GRT/6,093,321 DWT; includes 4 cargo, 5 refrigerated cargo, 4 container, 7 roll-on/roll-off, 23 petroleum tanker, 12 liquefied gas, 18 bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry Civil air: 16 major transport aircraft Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: modern with fully automatic telephone system; 52,670 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 3 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Bermuda Defense Forces:Bermuda Defense Forces Branches: Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Bhutan Geography:Bhutan Geography Total area: 47,000 km2 Land area: 47,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than half the size of Indiana Land boundaries: 1,075 km; China 470 km, India 605 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide, tourism potential Land use: arable land 2%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 5%; forest and woodland 70%; other 23% Environment: violent storms coming down from the Himalayas were the source of the country name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes :Bhutan People:Bhutan People Population: 1,660,167 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992) Birth rate: 40 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 17 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 126 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 49 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Bhutanese (singular and plural); adjective - Bhutanese Ethnic divisions: Bhote 60%, ethnic Nepalese 25%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Languages: Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects - most widely spoken dialect is Dzongkha (official); Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA; agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%; massive lack of skilled labor Organized labor: not permitted :Bhutan Government:Bhutan Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Bhutan Type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India Capital: Thimphu Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India) Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day (Ugyen Wangchuck became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) Executive branch: monarch, chairman of the Royal Advisory Council, Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), chairman of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Tshogdu) Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) Political parties and leaders: no legal parties Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections Elections: no national elections Communists: no overt Communist presence Other political or pressure groups: Buddhist clergy, Indian merchant community; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign Member of: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IOC, ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation: no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassies in New Delhi (India); the Bhutanese mission to the UN in New York has consular jurisdiction in the US 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: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 50% of GDP. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with that of India through strong trade and monetary links. Low wages in industry lead most Bhutanese to stay in agriculture. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are its most important natural resources. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $320 million, per capita $200; real growth rate 3.1% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (FY90) Unemployment rate: NA Budget: revenues $112 million; expenditures $121 million, including capital expenditures of $58 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $74 million (f.o.b., FY91) commodities: cardamon, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit partners: India 93% Imports: $106.4 million (c.i.f., FY91 est.) commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics partners: India 67% External debt: $80 million (FY91 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA; accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: 353,000 kW capacity; 2,000 million kWh produced, 1,280 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; based on subsistence farming and animal husbandry; self-sufficient in food except for foodgrains; other production - rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, dairy, and eggs Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $115 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $11 million Currency: ngultrum (plural - ngultrum); 1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency is also legal tender Exchange rates: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 25.927 (January 1992), 22.742 (1991), 17.504 (1990), 16.226 (1989), 13.917 (1988), 12.962 (1987); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Bhutan Communications:Bhutan Communications Highways: 1,304 km total; 418 km surfaced, 515 km improved, 371 km unimproved earth Civil air: 1 jet, 2 prop Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: inadequate; 1,990 telephones (1988); 22,000 radios (1990 est.); 85 TVs (1985); broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, no TV (1990) :Bhutan Defense Forces:Bhutan Defense Forces Branches: Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 406,360; 217,348 fit for military service; 17,316 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Bolivia Geography:Bolivia Geography Total area: 1,098,580 km2 Land area: 1,084,390 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Montana Land boundaries: 6,743 km; Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chile over Rio Lauca water rights Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid Terrain: rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon basin Natural resources: tin, natural gas, crude oil, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron ore, lead, gold, timber Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 25%; forest and woodland 52%; other 20%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: cold, thin air of high plateau is obstacle to efficient fuel combustion; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Peru :Bolivia People:Bolivia People Population: 7,323,048 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992) Birth rate: 33 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: --1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 82 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 59 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Bolivian(s); adjective - Bolivian Ethnic divisions: Quechua 30%, Aymara 25%, mixed 25-30%, European 5-15% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%; active Protestant minority, especially Evangelical Methodist Languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara (all official) Literacy: 78% (male 85%, female 71%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,700,000; agriculture 50%, services and utilities 26%, manufacturing 10%, mining 4%, other 10% (1983) Organized labor: 150,000-200,000, concentrated in mining, industry, construction, and transportation; mostly organized under Bolivian Workers' Central (COB) labor federation :Bolivia Government:Bolivia Government Long-form name: Republic of Bolivia Type: republic Capital: La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of judiciary) Administrative divisions: 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija Independence: 6 August 1825 (from Spain) Constitution: 2 February 1967 Legal system: based on Spanish law and Code Napoleon; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1825) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) consists of an upper chamber or Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Jaime PAZ Zamora (since 6 August 1989); Vice President Luis OSSIO Sanjines (since 6 August 1989) Political parties and leaders: Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR), Jaime PAZ Zamora; Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN), Hugo BANZER Suarez; Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR), Gonzalo SANCHEZ de Lozada; Civic Solidarity Union (UCS), Max FERNANDEZ Rojas; Conscience of the Fatherland (CONDEPA), Carlos PALENQUE Aviles; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Jorge AGREDO; Free Bolivia Movement (MBL), led by Antonio ARANIBAR; United Left (IU), a coalition of leftist parties that includes Patriotic National Convergency Axis (EJE-P) led by Walter DELGADILLO, and Bolivian Communist Party (PCB) led by Humberto RAMIREZ; Revolutionary Vanguard - 9th of April (VR-9), Carlos SERRATE Reich Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 (married) or 21 (single) Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held 7 May 1989 (next to be held May 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; note - legislative and presidential candidates run on a unified slate, so vote percentages are the same as in section on presidential election results; seats - (130 total) MNR 40, ADN 35, MIR 33, IU 10, CONDEPA 9, PDC 3 Chamber of Senators: last held 7 May 1989 (next to be held May 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; note - legislative and presidential candidates run on a unified slate, so vote percentages are the same as in section on presidential election results; seats - (27 total) MNR 9, ADN 7, MIR 8, CONDEPA 2, PDC 1 :Bolivia Government:Bolivia Government President: last held 7 May 1989 (next to be held May 1993); results - Gonzalo SANCHEZ de Lozada (MNR) 23%, Hugo BANZER Suarez (ADN) 22%, Jaime PAZ Zamora (MIR) 19%; no candidate received a majority of the popular vote; Jaime PAZ Zamora (MIR) formed a coalition with Hugo BANZER (ADN); with ADN support PAZ Zamora won the congressional runoff election on 4 August and was inaugurated on 6 August 1989 Member of: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jorge CRESPO; Chancery at 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-4410 through 4412; there are Bolivian Consulates General in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco US: Ambassador Charles R. BOWERS; Embassy at Banco Popular del Peru Building, corner of Calles Mercado y Colon, La Paz (mailing address is P. O. Box 425, La Paz, or APO AA 34032); telephone [591] (2) 350251 or 350120; FAX [591] (2) 359875 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:Bolivia Economy Overview: The Bolivian economy steadily deteriorated between 1980 and 1985 as La Paz financed growing budget deficits by expanding the money supply, and inflation spiraled - peaking at 11,700%. An austere orthodox economic program adopted by then President Paz Estenssoro in 1985, however, succeeded in reducing inflation to between 10% and 20% annually since 1987, eventually restarting economic growth. Since August 1989, President Paz Zamora has retained the economic policies of the previous government, keeping inflation down and continuing moderate growth. Nevertheless, Bolivia continues to be one of the poorest countries in Latin America, with widespread poverty and unemployment, and it remains vulnerable to price fluctuations for its limited exports - agricultural products, minerals, and natural gas. Moreover, for many farmers, who constitute half of the country's work force, the main cash crop is coca, which is sold for cocaine processing. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $4.6 billion, per capita $630; real growth rate 4% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1991) Unemployment rate: 7% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $900 million; expenditures $825 million, including capital expenditures of $300 million (1991 est.) Exports: $970 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: metals 45%, natural gas 25%, other 30% (coffee, soybeans, sugar, cotton, timber) partners: US 15%, Argentina Imports: $760 million (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: food, petroleum, consumer goods, capital goods partners: US 22% External debt: $3.3 billion (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate 6% (1991); accounts for almost 30% of GDP Electricity: 849,000 kW capacity; 1,798 million kWh produced, 251 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverage, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing; illicit drug industry reportedly produces significant revenues Agriculture: accounts for about 20% of GDP (including forestry and fisheries); principal commodities - coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, timber; self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: world's second-largest producer of coca (after Peru) with an estimated 47,900 hectares under cultivation; voluntary and forced eradication program unable to prevent production from rising to 78,400 metric tons in 1991 from 74,700 tons in 1989; 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 :Bolivia Economy:Bolivia Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $990 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2,025 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $340 million Currency: boliviano (plural - bolivianos); 1 boliviano ($B) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: bolivianos ($B) per US$1 - 3.7534 (January 1992), 3.5806 (1991), 3.1727 (1990), 2.6917 (1989), 2.3502 (1988), 2.0549 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Bolivia Communications:Bolivia Communications Railroads: 3,684 km total, all narrow gauge; 3,652 km 1.000-meter gauge and 32 km 0.760-meter gauge, all government owned, single track Highways: 38,836 km total; 1,300 km paved, 6,700 km gravel, 30,836 km improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: 10,000 km of commercially navigable waterways Pipelines: crude oil 1,800 km; petroleum products 580 km; natural gas 1,495 km Ports: none; maritime outlets are Arica and Antofagasta in Chile, Matarani and Ilo in Peru Merchant marine: 2 cargo and 1 container ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,951 GRT/26,320 DWT Civil air: 56 major transport aircraft Airports: 1,105 total, 943 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 146 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: radio relay system being expanded; improved international services; 144,300 telephones; broadcast stations - 129 AM, no FM, 43 TV, 68 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Bolivia Defense Forces:Bolivia Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, National Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,727,101; 1,122,224 fit for military service; 72,977 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $80 million, 1.6% of GDP (1990 est). :Bosnia and Herzegovina Geography:Bosnia and Herzegovina Geography Total area: 51,233 km2 Land area: 51,233 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: 1,369 km; Croatia (northwest) 751 km, Croatia (south) 91 km, Serbia and Montenegro 527 km Coastline: 20 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: 20-meter depth Exclusive economic zone: 12 nm Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Serbia and Croatia seek to cantonize Bosnia and Herzegovina; Muslim majority being forced from many areas 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: 20% arable land; 2% permanent crops; 25% meadows and pastures; 36% forest and woodland; 16% other; includes 1% irrigated Environment: air pollution from metallurgical plants; water scarce; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; subject to frequent and destructive earthquakes Note: Controls large percentage of important land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits :Bosnia and Herzegovina People:Bosnia and Herzegovina People Population: 4,364,000 (July 1991), growth rate 0.5% (1991) Birth rate: 14.5 births/1,000 population (1991) Death rate: 6.5 deaths/1,000 population (1991) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1991) Infant mortality rate: 15.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1991) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 73 years female (1980-82) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1991) Nationality: noun - Muslim, Serb, Croat (s); adjective - Muslim, Serbian, Croatian Ethnic divisions: Muslim 44%, Serb 33%, Croat 17% Religions: Slavic Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Catholic 15%, Protestant 4% Languages: Serbo-Croatian 99% Literacy: 85.5% (male 94.5%, female 76.7%) age 10 and over can read and write (1981 est.) Labor force: 1,026,254; 2% agriculture, industry, mining 45% (1991 est.) Organized labor: NA :Bosnia and Herzegovina Government:Bosnia and Herzegovina Government Long-form name: none Type: emerging democracy Capital: Sarajevo Administrative divisions: NA Independence: December 1918; April 1992 from Yugoslavia Constitution: NA Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister Legislative branch: NA Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Alija IZETBEGOVIC (since December 1990), Vice President NA Head of Government: Prime Minister Jore PELIVAN (since January 1991), Deputy Prime Minister Muhamed CENGIC and Rusmir MAHMUTCEHAJIC (since January 1991) Political parties and leaders: Party of Democratic Action, Alija IZETBEGOVIC; Croatian Democratic Union, Mate BOBAN; Serbian Democratic Party, Radovah KARADZIC; Muslim Bosnian Organization, Muhamed Zulfikar PASIC; Socialist Democratic Party, Nijaz DURAKOVIC Suffrage: at age 16 if employed; universal at age 18 Elections: NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CSCE Diplomatic representation: NA Flag: NA :Bosnia and Herzegovina Economy:Bosnia and Herzegovina Economy Overview: Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to Macedonia as the poorest component 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 April 1992, the newly independent republic was being torn apart by bitter interethnic warfare that has caused production to plummet, unemployment and inflation to soar, and human misery to multiply. The survival of the republic as a political and economic unit is in doubt. Both Serbia and Croatia have imposed various economic blockades and may permanently take over large areas populated by fellow ethnic groups. These areas contain most of the industry. If a much smaller core Muslim state survives, it will share many Third World problems of poverty, technological backwardness, and dependence on historically soft foreign markets for its primary products. In these circumstances, other Muslim countries might offer assistance. GDP: $14 billion; real growth rate --37% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 80% per month (1991) Unemployment rate: 28% (February 1992 est.) Budget: revenues $NA million; expenditures $NA million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (19__) Exports: $2,054 million (1990) commodities: manufactured goods (31%), machinery and transport equipment (20.8%), raw materials (18%), miscellaneous manufactured articles (17.3%), chemicals (9.4%), fuel and lubricants (1.4%), food and live animals (1.2%) partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics Imports: $1,891 million (1990) commodities: fuels and lubricants (32%), machinery and transport equipment (23.3%), other manufactures (21.3%), chemicals (10%), raw materials (6.7%), food and live animals (5.5%), beverages and tobacco (1.9%) partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics External debt: NA Industrial production: sharply down because of interethnic and interrepublic warfare (1991-92) Electricity: 14,400 million kW capacity; NA million kWh produced, 3,303 kWh per capita (1991) 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 :Bosnia and Herzegovina Economy:Bosnia and Herzegovina Economy Agriculture: accounted for 8.6% of national income 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 Illicit drugs: NA Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $NA billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million Currency: none; note - Croatian dinar used in ethnic Croat areas, Yugoslav dinar used in all other areas Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Bosnia and Herzegovina Communications:Bosnia and Herzegovina Communications Railroads: NA km all 1.000-meter gauge (includes NA km electrified) Highways: 21,168 km total (1991); 11,436 km paved, 8,146 km gravel, 1,586 km earth Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil 174 km, petroleum products NA km, natural gas NA km Ports: maritime - none; inland - Bosanski Brod Merchant marine: NA ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling NA GRT/NA DWT; includes NA cargo, NA container, NA liquefied gas, NA petroleum tanker Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: 2 main, NA usable; NA with permanent-surface runways; NA with runways over 3,659 m; NA with runways 2,440-3,659 m; NA with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: Bosnia's telephone and telegraph network is in need of modernization and expansion, many urban areas being below average compared with services in other former Yugoslav republics; 727,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 2 FM, 6 (0 repeaters) TV; 840,000 radios; 1,012,094 TVs; NA submarine coaxial cables; satellite ground stations - none :Bosnia and Herzegovina Defense Forces:Bosnia and Herzegovina Defense Forces Branches: Territorial Defense Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; 39,000 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Botswana Geography:Botswana Geography Total area: 600,370 km2 Land area: 585, 370 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: 4,013 km; Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Terrain: predominately flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda, ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver, natural gas Land use: urable land 2%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 75%; forest and woodland 2%; other 21%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: rains in early 1988 broke six years of drought that had severely affected the important cattle industry; overgazing; desertification Note: landlocked :Botswana People:Botswana People Population: 1,292,210 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992) Birth rate: 35 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 42 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 59 years male, 65 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun and ajective - Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Ethnic divisions: Batswana 95%; Kalanga, Basarwa, and Kgalagadi about 4%; white about 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50% Languages: English (official), Setswana Literacy: 23% (male 32%, female 16%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 400,000; 198,500 formal sector employees, most others are engaged in cattle raising and subsistence agriculture (1990 est.); 14,600 are employed in various mines in South Africa (1990) Organized labor: 19 trade unions :Botswana Government:Botswana Government Long-form name: Republic of Botswana Type: parliamentary republic Capital: Gaborone Administrative divisions: 10 districts: Central, Chobe, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Ngamiland, North-East, South-East, Southern; note - in addition, there may now be 4 town councils named Francistown, Gaborone, Lobaste Selebi-Pikwe Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK; formerly Bechuanaland) 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 30 September (1966) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of an upper house or House of Chiefs and a lower house or National Assembly Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Quett K. J. MASIRE (since 13 July 1980); Vice President Peter S. MMUSI (since 3 January 1983) Political parties and leaders: Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Quett MASIRE; Botswana National Front (BNF), Kenneth KOMA; Boswana People's Party (BPP), Knight MARIPE; Botswana Independence Party (BIP), Motsamai MPHO Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: National Assembly: last held 7 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (38 total, 34 elected) BDP 35, BNF 3 President: last held 7 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994); results - President Quett K. J. MASIRE was reelected by the National Assembly Communists: no known Communist organization; Kenneth KOMA of BNF has long history of Communist contacts Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Botsweletse Kingsley SEBELE; Chancery at Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-4990 or 4991 US: Ambassador Davie PASSAGE; Embassy at Gaborone (mailing address is P. O. Box 90, Gaborone); telephone [267] 353-982; FAX [267] 356-947 Flag: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center :Botswana Economy: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 produces only about 50% of food needs. 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 over 50% in 1989. 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%. Although diamond production remained level in FY91, substantial gains in coal output and manufacturing helped boost the economy GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $3.6 billion, per capita $2,800; real growth rate 6.3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.6% (1991) Unemployment rate: 25% (1989) Budget: revenues $1,935 million; expenditures $1,885 million, including capital expenditures of $658 million (FY93) Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b. 1990) commodities: diamonds 80%, copper and nickel 9%, meat 4%, cattle, animal products partners: Switzerland, UK, SACU (Southern African Customs Union) Imports: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, vehicles and transport equipment, textiles, petroleum products partners: Switzerland, SACU (Southern African Customs Union), UK, US External debt: $780 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 16.8% (FY86); accounts for about 57% of GDP, including mining Electricity: 220,000 kW capacity; 630 million kWh produced 858 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining of diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing Agriculture: accounts for only 3% of DGP; subsistence farming predominates; cattle raising supports 50% of the population; must import large share of food needs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $257 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,875 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $43 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $29 million Currency: pula (plural - pula); 1 pula (P) = 100 thebe Exchange rates: pula (P) per US$1 - 2.1683 (March 1992), 2.0173 (1991), 1.8601 (1990), 2.0125 (1989), 1.8159 (1988), 1.6779 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Botswana Communications:Botswana Communications Railroads: 712 km 1.067-meter gauge Highways: 11,514 km total; 1,600 km paved; 1,700 km crushed stone or gravel, 5,177 km improved earth, 3,037 km unimproved earth Civil air: 5 major transport aircraft Airports: 100 total, 87 unable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 27 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: the small system is a combination of open-wire lines, radio relay links, and a few radio-communications stations; 26,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 13 FM, no TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Botswana Defense Forces:Botswana Defense Forces Branches: Botswana Defense Force (including Army and Air Wing); Botswana National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 271,511; 142,947 fit for military service; 14,473 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $136.4 million, 4.4% of GDP (FY92) :Bouvet Island Geography:Bouvet Island Geography Total area: 58 km2 Land area: 58 km2 Comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 29.6 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 4 nm Disputes: none Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 meters; coast is mostly inacessible Natural resources: none Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% (ice) Environment: covered by glacial ice Note: located in the South Atlantic Ocean 2,575 km south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa :Bouvet Island People:Bouvet Island People Population: uninhabited :Bouvet Island Government:Bouvet Island Government Long-form name: none Type: territory of Norway Capital: none; administered from Oslo, Norway :Bouvet Island Economy:Bouvet Island Economy Overview: no economic activity :Bouvet Island Communications:Bouvet Island Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Telecommunications: automatic meteorological station :Bouvet Island Defense Forces:Bouvet Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Norway :Brazil Geography:Brazil Geography Total area: 8,511,965 km2 Land area: 8,456,510 km2; includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo Comparative area: slightly smaller than the US Land boundaries: 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: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: short section of the boundary with Paraguay (just west of Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana) is in dispute; two short sections of boundary with Uruguay are in dispute (Arroyo de la Invernada area of the Rio Quarai and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay) Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt Natural resources: iron ore, manganese, bauxite, nickel, uranium, phosphates, tin, hydropower, gold, platinum, crude oil, timber Land use: arable land 7%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 19%; forest and woodland 67%; other 6%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: recurrent droughts in northeast; floods and frost in south; deforestation in Amazon basin; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo Note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador :Brazil People:Brazil People Population: 158,202,019 (July 1992), growth rate 1.8% (1992) Birth rate: 25 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 67 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 69 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Brazilian(s); adjective - Brazilian Ethnic divisions: Portuguese, Italian, German, Japanese, black, Amerindian; white 55%, mixed 38%, black 6%, other 1% Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 90% Languages: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French Literacy: 81% (male 82%, female 80%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 57,000,000 (1989 est.); services 42%, agriculture 31%, industry 27% Organized labor: 13,000,000 dues paying members (1989 est.) :Brazil Government:Brazil Government Long-form name: Federative Republic of Brazil Type: federal republic Capital: Brasilia Administrative divisions: 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins; note - the former territories of Amapa and Roraima became states in January 1991 Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) Constitution: 5 October 1988 Legal system: based on Latin codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 7 September (1822) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congresso Nacional) consists of an upper chamber or Federal Senate (Senado Federal) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara dos Deputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Federal Tribunal Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Fernando Affonso COLLOR de Mello (since 15 March 1990); Vice President Itamar FRANCO (since 15 March 1990) Political parties and leaders: National Reconstruction Party (PRN), Daniel TOURINHO, president; Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), Orestes QUERCIA, president; Liberal Front Party (PFL), Hugo NAPOLEAO, president; Workers' Party (PT), Luis Ignacio (Lula) da SILVA, president; Brazilian Labor Party (PTB), Luiz GONZAGA de Paiva Muniz, president; Democratic Labor Party (PDT), Leonel BRIZOLA, president; Democratic Social Party (PPS), Paulo MALUF, president; Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), Tasso JEREISSATI, president; Popular Socialist Party (PPS), Roberto FREIRE, president; Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB), Joao AMAZONAS, secretary general; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Siqueira CAMPOS, president Suffrage: voluntary at age 16; compulsory between ages 18 and 70; voluntary at age 70 Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held 3 October 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - PMDB 21%, PFL 17%, PDT 9%, PDS 8%, PRN 7.9%, PTB 7%, PT 7%, other 23.1%; seats - (503 total as of 3 February 1991) PMDB 108, PFL 87, PDT 46, PDS 43, PRN 40, PTB 35, PT 35, other 109 Federal Senate: last held 3 October 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (81 total as of 3 February 1991) PMDB 27, PFL 15, PSDB 10, PTB 8, PDT 5, other 16 :Brazil Government:Brazil Government President: last held 15 November 1989, with runoff on 17 December 1989 (next to be held November 1994); results - Fernando COLLOR de Mello 53%, Luis Inacio da SILVA 47%; note - first free, direct presidential election since 1960 Communists: less than 30,000 Other political or pressure groups: left wing of the Catholic Church and labor unions allied to leftist Worker's Party are critical of government's social and economic policies Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, MERCOSUR, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WFTU, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Rubens RICUPERO; Chancery at 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 745-2700; there are Brazilian Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, and New York, and Consulates in Dallas, Houston, and San Francisco US: Ambassador Richard MELTON; Embassy at Avenida das Nacoes, Lote 3, Brasilia, Distrito Federal (mailing address is APO AA 34030); telephone [55] (61) 321-7272; FAX [55] (61) 225-9136; there are US Consulates General in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, and Consulates in PortoAlegre and Recife Flag: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 23 white five-pointed stars (one for each state) 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: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, is embarked on an ambitious reform program that seeks to modernize and reinvigorate the economy by stabilizing prices, deregulating the economy, and opening it to increased foreign competition. The government in December 1991 signed a letter of intent with the IMF for a 20-month standby loan. Having reached an agreement on the repayment of interest arrears accumulated during 1989 and 1990, Brazilian officials and commercial bankers are engaged in talks on the reduction of medium- and long-term debt and debt service payments and on the elimination of remaining interest arrears. A major long-run strength is Brazil's vast natural resources. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $358 billion, per capita $2,300; real growth rate 1.2% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 478.5% (December 1991, annual rate) Unemployment rate: 4.3% (1991) Budget: revenues $164.3 billion; expenditures $170.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $32.9 billion (1990) Exports: $31.6 billion (1991) commodities: iron ore, soybean bran, orange juice, footwear, coffee partners: EC 31%, US 24%, Latin America 11%, Japan 8% (1990) Imports: $21.0 billion (1991) commodities: crude oil, capital goods, chemical products, foodstuffs, coal partners: Middle East and Africa 22%, US 21%, EC 21%, Latin America 18%, Japan 6% (1990) External debt: $118 billion (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate--0.5% (1991); accounts for 39% of GDP Electricity: 58,500,000 kW capacity; 229,824 million kWh produced, 1,479 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles and other consumer goods, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, steel, motor vehicles and auto parts, metalworking, capital goods, tin Agriculture: 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 :Brazil Economy:Brazil Economy Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and coca, mostly for domestic consumption; government has a modest eradication program to control cannabis and coca cultivation; important transshipment country for Bolivian and Colombian cocaine headed for the US and Europe Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $2.5 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.2 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $284 million; former Communist countries (1970-89), $1.3 billion Currency: cruzeiro (plural - cruzeiros); 1 cruzeiro (Cr$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: cruzeiros (Cr$) per US$1 - 1,197.38 (January 1992), 406.61 (1991), 68.300 (1990), 2.834 (1989), 0.26238 (1988), 0.03923 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Brazil Communications:Brazil Communications Railroads: 28,828 km total; 24,864 km 1.000-meter gauge, 3,877 km 1.600-meter gauge, 74 km mixed 1.600-1.000-meter gauge, 13 km 0.760-meter gauge; 2,360 km electrified Highways: 1,448,000 km total; 48,000 km paved, 1,400,000 km gravel or earth Inland waterways: 50,000 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 2,000 km; petroleum products 3,804 km; natural gas 1,095 km Ports: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos Merchant marine: 245 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,693,500 GRT/9,623,918 DWT; includes 3 passenger-cargo, 49 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 13 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 57 petroleum tanker, 15 chemical tanker, 11 liquefied gas, 14 combination ore/oil, 71 bulk, 2 combination bulk; in addition, 2 naval tankers and 4 military transport are sometimes used commercially Civil air: 198 major transport aircraft Airports: 3,563 total, 2,911 usable; 420 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 22 with runways 2,240-3,659 m; 550 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good system; extensive radio relay facilities; 9.86 million telephones; broadcast stations - 1,223 AM, no FM, 112 TV, 151 shortwave; 3 coaxial submarine cables, 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations and 64 domestic satellite earth stations :Brazil Defense Forces:Brazil Defense Forces Branches: Brazilian Army, Navy of Brazil (including Marines), Brazilian Air Force, Military Police (paramilitary) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 41,515,103; 27,987,257 fit for military service; 1,644,571 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, 0.3% of GDP (1990) :British Indian Ocean Territory Geography:British Indian Ocean Territory Geography Total area: 60 km2 Land area: 60 km2; includes the island of Diego Garcia Comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 698 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: UK announced establishment of 200-nm fishery zone in August 1991 Disputes: the entire Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Mauritius 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% Environment: archipelago of 2,300 islands Note: Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility :British Indian Ocean Territory People:British Indian Ocean Territory People Population: no permanent civilian population; formerly about 3,000 islanders Ethnic divisions: civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK and US defense facilities :British Indian Ocean Territory Government:British Indian Ocean Territory Government Long-form name: British Indian Ocean Territory (no short-form name); abbreviated BIOT Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: none Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Commissioner Mr. T. G. HARRIS; Administrator Mr. R. G. WELLS (since NA 1991); note - both reside in the UK Diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of 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: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 and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. Electricity: provided by the US military :British Indian Ocean Territory Communications:British Indian Ocean Territory Communications Highways: short stretch of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia Ports: Diego Garcia Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways over 3,659 m on Diego Garcia Telecommunications: minimal facilities; broadcast stations (operated by US Navy) - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :British Indian Ocean Territory Defense Forces:British Indian Ocean Territory Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :British Virgin Islands Geography:British Virgin Islands Geography Total area: 150 km2 Land area: 150 km2; includes the island of Anegada Comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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% Environment: subject to hurricanes and tropical storms from July to October Note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico :British Virgin Islands People:British Virgin Islands People Population: 12,555 (July 1992), growth rate 1.2% (1992) Birth rate: 20 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: --2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 20 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - British Virgin Islander(s); adjective - British Virgin Islander Ethnic divisions: over 90% black, remainder of white and Asian origin 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: 98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970) Labor force: 4,911 (1980) Organized labor: NA% of labor force :British Virgin Islands Government:British Virgin Islands Government Long-form name: none Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Road Town Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 1 June 1977 Legal system: English law National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July Executive branch: British monarch, governor, chief minister, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor P. A. PENFOLD (since NA 1991) Head of Government: Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT (since NA 1986) Political parties and leaders: United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity STOUTT; Independent Progressive Movement (IPM), Cyril B. ROMNEY Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Council: last held 12 November 1990 (next to be held by November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) VIP 6, IPM 1, independents 2 Member of: CARICOM (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate) Diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of 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: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. Livestock raising is the most significant agricultural activity. The islands' crops, limited by poor soils, are unable to meet food requirements. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $130 million, per capita $10,600; real growth rate 6.3% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NEGL% Budget: revenues $51 million; expenditures $88 million, including capital expenditures of $38 million (1991) Exports: $2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animals partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Imports: $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US External debt: $4.5 million (1985) Industrial production: growth rate--4.0% (1985) Electricity: 10,500 kW capacity; 43 million kWh produced, 3,510 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Agriculture: livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables Economic aid: NA Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :British Virgin Islands Communications:British Virgin Islands Communications Highways: 106 km motorable roads (1983) Ports: Road Town Airports: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways less than 1,220 m Telecommunications: 3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone service; submarine cable communication links to Bermuda; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV :British Virgin Islands Defense Forces:British Virgin Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Brunei Geography:Brunei Geography Total area: 5,770 km2 Land area: 5,270 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Delaware Land boundaries: 381 km; Malysia 381 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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: crude oil, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 79%; other 18%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare Note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia :Brunei People:Brunei People Population: 269,319 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 7 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 26 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 73 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (1992) 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, and Chinese Literacy: 77% (male 85%, female 69%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 89,000 (includes members of the Army); 33% of labor force is foreign (1988); government 47.5%; production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 41.9%; agriculture, forestry, and fishing 3.8% (1986) Organized labor: 2% of labor force :Brunei Government:Brunei Government Long-form name: Negara Brunei Darussalam 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) Constitution: 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) Legal system: based on Islamic law National holiday: 23 February (1984) Executive branch: sultan, prime minister, Council of Cabinet Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (Majlis Masyuarat Megeri) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Sultan and Prime Minister His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji HASSANAL Bolkiah Mu`izzaddin Waddaulah (since 5 October 1967) Political parties and leaders: Brunei United National Party (inactive), Anak HASANUDDIN, chairman; Brunei National Democratic Party (the first legal political party and now banned), leader NA Suffrage: none Elections: Legislative Council: last held in March 1962; in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointive body by decree of the sultan and no elections are planned Member of: APEC, ASEAN, C, ESCAP, G-77, ICAO, IDB, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Mohamed KASSIM bin Haji Mohamed Daud; Chancery at 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 3000, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 342-0159 US: Ambassador (vacant); Embassy at Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, American Embassy Box B, APO AP 96440; telephone [673] (2) 229-670; FAX [673] (2) 225-293 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: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 50% of GDP. Per capita GDP of $8,800 is among the highest in the Third World, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes food and housing. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion, per capita $8,800; real growth rate 1% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1989) Unemployment rate: 3.7%, shortage of skilled labor (1989) Budget: revenues $1.3 billion; expenditures $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $255 million (1989 est.) Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: crude oil, liquefied natural gas, petroleum products partners: Japan 53%, UK 12%, South Korea 9%, Thailand 7%, Singapore 5% (1990) Imports: $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals partners: Singapore 35%, UK 26%, Switzerland 9%, US 9%, Japan 5% (1990) External debt: none Industrial production: growth rate 12.9% (1987); accounts for 52.4% of GDP Electricity: 310,000 kW capacity; 890 million kWh produced, 2,400 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction Agriculture: imports about 80% of its food needs; principal crops and livestock include rice, cassava, bananas, buffaloes, and pigs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $20.6 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $153 million Currency: Bruneian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Bruneian dollar (B$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars (B$) per US$1 - 1.7454 (January 1991), 1.8125 (1990), 1.9503 (1989), 2.0124 (1988), 2.1060 (1987), 2.1774 (1986); note - the Bruneian dollar is at par with the Singapore dollar Fiscal year: calendar year :Brunei Communications:Brunei Communications Railroads: 13 km 0.610-meter narrow-gauge private line Highways: 1,090 km total; 370 km paved (bituminous treated) and another 52 km under construction, 720 km gravel or unimproved Inland waterways: 209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 meters Pipelines: crude oil 135 km; petroleum products 418 km; natural gas 920 km Ports: Kuala Belait, Muara Merchant marine: 7 liquefied gas carriers (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 348,476 GRT/340,635 DWT Civil air: 4 major transport aircraft (3 Boeing 757-200, 1 Boeing 737-200) Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runway over 3,659 m; 1 with runway 1,406 m Telecommunications: service throughout country is adequate for present needs; international service good to adjacent Malaysia; radiobroadcast coverage good; 33,000 telephones (1987); broadcast stations - 4 AM/FM, 1 TV; 74,000 radio receivers (1987); satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT :Brunei Defense Forces:Brunei Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, and Royal Brunei Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 75,330; 43,969 fit for military service; 2,595 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $233.1 million, 7.1% of GDP (1988) :Bulgaria Geography:Bulgaria Geography Total area: 110,910 km2 Land area: 110,550 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: 1,881 km; Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km, Serbia and Montenegro 318 km, Turkey 240 km Coastline: 354 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Macedonia question with Greece and Macedonia Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and south 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%; includes irrigated 11% Environment: subject to earthquakes, landslides; deforestation; air pollution Note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia :Bulgaria People Population: 8,869,161 (July 1992), growth rate --0.5% (1992) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: --5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 13 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Bulgarian(s); adjective - Bulgarian Ethnic divisions: Bulgarian 85.3%, Turk 8.5%, Gypsy 2.6%, Macedonian 2.5%, Armenian 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, other 0.6% Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 85%; Muslim 13%; Jewish 0.8%; Roman Catholic 0.5%; Uniate Catholic 0.2%; Protestant, Gregorian-Armenian, and other 0.5% Languages: Bulgarian; secondary languages closely correspond to ethnic breakdown Literacy: 93% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.) Labor force: 4,300,000; industry 33%, agriculture 20%, other 47% (1987) Organized labor: Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (KNSB); Edinstvo (Unity) People's Trade Union (splinter confederation from KNSB); Podkrepa (Support) Labor Confederation, legally registered in January 1990 :Bulgaria Government Long-form name: Republic of Bulgaria Type: emerging democracy, diminishing Communist Party influence Capital: Sofia Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Burgas, Grad Sofiya, Khaskovo, Lovech, Mikhaylovgrad, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Sofiya, Varna Independence: 22 September 1908 (from Ottoman Empire) Constitution: adopted 12 July 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system, with Soviet law influence; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: 3 March (1878) Executive branch: president, chairman of the Council of Ministers (premier), two deputy chairmen of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Narodno Sobranie) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Zhelyu ZHELEV (since 1 August 1990) Head of Government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Premier) Filip DIMITROV (since 8 November 1991); Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Deputy Prime Minister) Stoyan GANEV (since 8 November 1991); Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikolay VASILEV (since 8 November 1991) Political parties and leaders: government: Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), Filip DIMITROV, chairman, consisting of United Democratic Center, Democratic Party, Radical Democratic Party, Christian Democratic Union, Alternative Social Liberal Party, Republican Party, Civic Initiative Movement, Union of the Repressed, and about a dozen other groups; Movement for Rights and Freedoms (pro-Muslim party) (MRF), Ahmed DOGAN, chairman, supports UDF but not officially in coalition with it opposition: Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), formerly Bulgarian Communist Party (BCP), Zhan VIDENOV, chairman Suffrage: universalandcompulsoryatage 18 Elections: National Assembly: last held 13 October 1991; results - BSP 33%, UDF 34%, MRF 7.5%; seats - (240 total) BSP 106, UDF 110, Movement for Rights and Freedoms 24 President: last held 12 January 1992; second round held 19 January 1992; results - Zhelyu ZHELEV was elected by popular vote Communists: Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), formerly Bulgarian Communist Party (BCP), 501,793 members; several small Communist parties :Bulgaria Government:Bulgaria Government Other political or pressure groups: Ecoglasnost; Podkrepa (Support) Labor Confederation; Fatherland Union; Bulgarian Democratic Youth (formerly Communist Youth Union); Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (KNSB); Nationwide Committee for Defense of National Interests; Peasant Youth League; Bulgarian Agrarian National Union - United (BZNS); Bulgarian Democratic Center; "Nikola Petkov" Bulgarian Agrarian National Union; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Union of Macedonian Societies (IMRO-UMS); numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest groups with various agendas Member of: BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IIB, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NSG, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ognyan PISHEV; Chancery at 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 387-7969 US: Ambassador Hugh Kenneth HILL; Embassy at 1 Alexander Stamboliski Boulevard, Sofia (mailing address is APO AE 09213-5740); telephone [359] (2) 88-48-01 through 05; Embassy has no FAX machine 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:Bulgaria Economy Overview: Growth in the lackluster Bulgarian economy fell to the 2% annual level in the 1980s. By 1990, Sofia's foreign debt had skyrocketed to over $10 billion - giving a debt-service ratio of more than 40% of hard currency earnings and leading the regime to declare a moratorium on its hard currency payments. The post-Communist government faces major problems of renovating an aging industrial plant; coping with worsening energy, food, and consumer goods shortages; keeping abreast of rapidly unfolding technological developments; investing in additional energy capacity (the portion of electric power from nuclear energy reached over one-third in 1990); and motivating workers, in part by giving them a share in the earnings of their enterprises. Bulgaria's new government, led by Prime Minister Filip Dimitrov, is strongly committed to economic reform. The previous government, even though dominated by former Communists, had taken the first steps toward dismantling the central planning system, bringing the economy back into balance, and reducing inflationary pressures. The program produced some encouraging early results, including eased restrictions on foreign investment, increased support from international financial institutions, and liberalized currency trading. Small entrepreneurs have begun to emerge and some privatization of small enterprises has taken place. The government has passed bills to privatize large state-owned enterprises and reform the banking system. Negotiations on an association agreement with the EC began in late 1991. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $36.4 billion, per capita $4,100; real growth rate --22% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 420% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues NA; expenditures NA, including capital expenditures of $NA billion (1991) Exports: $8.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and equipment 55.3%; agricultural products 15.0%; manufactured consumer goods 10.0%; fuels, minerals, raw materials, and metals 18.4%; other 1.3% (1990) partners: former CMEA countries 70.6% (USSR 56.2%, Czechoslovakia 3.9%, Poland 2.5%); developed countries 13.6% (Germany 2.1%, Greece 1.2%); less developed countries 13.1% (Libya 5.8%, Iran 0.5%) (1990) Imports: $9.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: fuels, minerals, and raw materials 43.7%; machinery and equipment 45.2%; manufactured consumer goods 6.7%; agricultural products 3.8%; other 0.6% partners: former CMEA countries 70.9% (former USSR 52.7%, Poland 4.1%); developed countries 20.2% (Germany 5.0%, Austria 2.1%); less developed countries 7.2% (Libya 2.0%, Iran 0.7%) External debt: $11.2 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate --14.7% (1990); accounts for about 37% of GNP (1990) Electricity: 11,500,000 kW capacity; 45,000 million kWh produced, 5,040 kWh per capita (1990) :Bulgaria Economy:Bulgaria Economy Industries: machine building and metal working, food processing, chemicals, textiles, building materials, ferrous and nonferrous metals Agriculture: accounts for 22% of GNP (1990); 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 transiting the Balkan route Economic aid: donor - $1.6 billion in bilateral aid to non-Communist less developed countries (1956-89) Currency: lev (plural - leva); 1 lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki Exchange rates: leva (Lv) per US$1 - 17.18 (1 January 1992), 16.13 (March 1991), 0.7446 (November 1990), 0.84 (1989), 0.82 (1988), 0.90 (1987); note - floating exchange rate since February 1991 Fiscal year: calendar year :Bulgaria Communications:Bulgaria Communications Railroads: 4,300 km total, all government owned (1987); 4,055 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 245 km narrow gauge; 917 km double track; 2,510 km electrified Highways: 36,908 km total; 33,535 km hard surface (including 242 km superhighways); 3,373 km earth roads (1987) Inland waterways: 470 km (1987) Pipelines: crude oil 193 km; petroleum products 418 km; natural gas 1,400 km (1986) Ports: Burgas, Varna, Varna West; river ports are Ruse, Vidin, and Lom on the Danube Merchant marine: 110 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 1,234,657 GRT/1,847,759 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 30 cargo, 2 container, 1 passenger-cargo training, 6 roll-on/roll-off, 15 petroleum tanker, 4 chemical carrier, 2 railcar carrier, 48 bulk; Bulgaria owns 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,717 DWT operating under Liberian registry Civil air: 86 major transport aircraft Airports: 380 total, 380 usable; about 120 with permanent-surface runways; 20 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 20 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: extensive radio relay; 2.5 million telephones; direct dialing to 36 countries; phone density is 25 phones per 100 persons; 67% of Sofia households now have a phone (November 1988); broadcast stations - 20 AM, 15 FM, and 29 TV, with 1 Soviet TV repeater in Sofia; 2.1 million TV sets (1990); 92% of country receives No. 1 television program (May 1990); 1 satellite ground station using Intersputnik; INTELSAT is used through a Greek earth station :Bulgaria Defense Forces:Bulgaria Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Frontier Troops, Internal Troops Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,181,421; 1,823,678 fit for military service; 65,942 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - 4.413 billion leva, 4.4% of GNP (1991); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results :Burkina Geography:Burkina Geography Total area: 274,200 km2 Land area: 273,800 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Colorado Land boundaries: 3,192 km; Benin 306 km, Ghana 548 km, Ivory Coast 584 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina 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 NEGL%; meadows and pastures 37%; forest and woodland 26%; other 27%, includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: recent droughts and desertification severely affecting marginal agricultural activities, population distribution, economy; overgrazing; deforestation Note: landlocked :Burkina People:Burkina People Population: 9,653,672 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992) Birth rate: 49 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: --2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 117 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 52 years male, 53 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Burkinabe (singular and plural); adjective - Burkinabe Ethnic divisions: more than 50 tribes; principal tribe is Mossi (about 2.5 million); other important groups are Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani Religions: indigenous beliefs about 65%, Muslim 25%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10% Languages: French (official); tribal languages belong to Sudanic family, spoken by 90% of the population Literacy: 18% (male 28%, female 9%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 3,300,000 residents; 30,000 are wage earners; agriculture 82%, industry 13%, commerce, services, and government 5%; 20% of male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (1984); 44% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: four principal trade union groups represent less than 1% of population :Burkina Government:Burkina Government Long-form name: Burkina Faso Type: military; established by coup on 4 August 1983 Capital: Ouagadougou Administrative divisions: 30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi, Kouritenga, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Yatenga, Zoundweogo Independence: 5 August 1960 (from France; formerly Upper Volta) Constitution: June 1991 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 4 August (1983) Executive branch: President, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) was dissolved on 25 November 1980 Judicial branch: Appeals Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Captain Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987) Political parties and leaders: Organization for Popular Democracy (ODP/MT), ruling party; Coordination of Democratic Forces (CFD), composed of opposition parties Suffrage: none Elections: the National Assembly was dissolved 25 November 1980; presidential election held December 1991 and legislative election scheduled for 24 May 1992 Communists: small Communist party front group; some sympathizers Other political or pressure groups: committees for the defense of the revolution, watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Paul Desire KABORE; Chancery at 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-5577 or 6895 US: Ambassador Edward P. BYRNN; Embassy at Avenue Raoul Follerau, Ouagadougou (mailing address is 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou); telephone [226] 30-67- 23 through 25 and [226] 33-34-22; FAX [226] 31-23-68 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:Burkina Economy Overview: One of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina has a high population density, few natural resources, and relatively infertile soil. Economic development is hindered by a poor communications network within a landlocked country. Agriculture provides about 40% of GDP and is entirely of a subsistence nature. Industry, dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations, accounts for about 15% of GDP. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.9 billion, per capita $320 (1988); real growth rate 1.3% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): --0.5% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $275 million; expenditures $287 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989) Exports: $262 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: oilseeds, cotton, live animals, gold partners: EC 42% (France 30%, other 12%), Taiwan 17%, Ivory Coast 15% (1985) Imports: $619 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: grain, dairy products, petroleum, machinery partners: EC 37% (France 23%, other 14%), Africa 31%, US 15% (1985) External debt: $962 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.7% (1990 est.), accounts for about 15% of GDP (1988) Electricity: 120,000 kW capacity; 320 million kWh produced, 40 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold Agriculture: accounts for about 40% of GDP; cash crops - peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton; food crops - sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock; not self-sufficient in food grains Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $294 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.9 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $113 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Burkina Communications:Burkina Communications Railroads: 620 km total; 520 km Ouagadougou to Ivory Coast border and 100 km Ouagadougou to Kaya; all 1.00-meter gauge and single track Highways: 16,500 km total; 1,300 km paved, 7,400 km improved, 7,800 km unimproved (1985) Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 48 total, 38 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 8 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: all services only fair; radio relay, wire, and radio communication stations in use; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, 2 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Burkina Defense Forces:Burkina Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, Peoples' Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,904,647; 971,954 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 2.7% of GDP (1988 est.) :Burma Geography:Burma Geography Total area: 678,500 km2 Land area: 657,740 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: 5,876 km; Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km, Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km Coastline: 1,930 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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: crude oil, 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%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: subject to destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); deforestation Note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes :Burma People:Burma People Population: 42,642,418 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 68 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 57 years male, 61 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Burmese (singular and plural); adjective - Burmese Ethnic divisions: Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Mon 2%, Indian 2%, other 5% Religions: Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist beliefs 1%, other 2% Languages: Burmese; minority ethnic groups have their own languages Literacy: 81% (male 89%, female 72%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 16,036,000; agriculture 65.2%, industry 14.3%, trade 10.1%, government 6.3%, other 4.1% (FY89 est.) Organized labor: Workers' Asiayone (association), 1,800,000 members; Peasants' Asiayone, 7,600,000 members :Burma Government:Burma Government Long-form name: Union of Burma; note - the local official name is Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw, which has been translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar Type: military regime Capital: Rangoon (sometimes translated as Yangon) Administrative divisions: 7 divisions* (yin-mya, singular - yin) and 7 states (pyine-mya, singular - pyine); Chin State, Irrawaddy*, Kachin State, Karan State, Kayah State, Magwe*, Mandalay*, Mon State, Pegu*, Rakhine State, Rangoon*, Sagaing*, Shan State, Tenasserim* Independence: 4 January 1948 (from UK) Constitution: 3 January 1974 (suspended since 18 September 1988) Legal system: martial law in effect throughout most of the country; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 4 January (1948) Executive branch: chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, State Law and Order Restoration Council Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Pyithu Hluttaw) was dissolved after the coup of 18 September 1988 Judicial branch: Council of People's Justices was abolished after the coup of 18 September 1988 Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992) Political parties and leaders: National Unity Party (NUP; proregime), THA KYAW; National League for Democracy (NLD), U AUNG SHWE; National Coalition of Union of Burma (NCGUB), SEIN WIN - consists of individuals legitimately elected but not recognized by military regime; fled to border area and joined with insurgents in December 1990 to form a parallel government Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: People's Assembly: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never convened; results - NLD 80%; seats - (485 total) NLD 396, the regime-favored NUP 10, other 79 Communists: several hundred (est.) in Burma Communist Party (BCP) Other political or pressure groups: Kachin Independence Army (KIA), United Wa State Army (UWSA), Karen National Union (KNU) , several Shan factions, including the Shan United Army (SUA) (all ethnically based insurgent groups) Member of: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO :Burma Government:Burma Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador U THAUNG; Chancery at 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-9044 through 9046; there is a Burmese Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador (vacant); Deputy Chief of Mission, Charge d'Affaires Franklin P. HUDDLE, Jr.; Embassy at 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (mailing address is GPO Box 521, AMEMB Box B, APO AP 96546); telephone [95] (1) 82055, 82181; 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:Burma Economy Overview: Burma is a poor Asian country, with a per capita GDP of about $500. The nation has been unable to achieve any substantial improvement in export earnings because of falling prices for many of its major commodity exports. For rice, traditionally the most important export, the drop in world prices has been accompanied by shrinking markets and a smaller volume of sales. In 1985 teak replaced rice as the largest export and continues to hold this position. The economy is heavily dependent on the agricultural sector, which generates about 40% of GDP and provides employment for 65% of the work force. Burma has been largely isolated from international economic forces and has been trying to encourage foreign investment, so far with little success. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $22.2 billion, per capita $530; real growth rate 5.6% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 40% (1991) Unemployment rate: 9.6% in urban areas (FY89 est.) Budget: revenues $7.2 billion; expenditures $9.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $6 billion (1991) Exports: $568 million commodities: teak, rice, oilseed, metals, rubber, gems partners: Southeast Asia, India, Japan, China, EC, Africa Imports: $1.16 billion commodities: machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, food products partners: Japan, EC, China, Southeast Asia External debt: $4.2 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 2.6% (FY90 est.); accounts for 10% of GDP Electricity: 950,000 kW capacity; 2,900 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1990) 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 40% of GDP (including fish and forestry); self-sufficient in food; principal crops - paddy rice, corn, oilseed, sugarcane, pulses; world's largest stand of hardwood trees; rice and teak account for 55% of export revenues; fish catch of 740,000 metric tons (FY90) Illicit drugs: world's largest illicit producer of opium poppy and minor producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; opium production is on the increase as growers respond to the collapse of Rangoon's antinarcotic programs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $158 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.9 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $424 million :Burma Economy:Burma Economy Currency: kyat (plural - kyats); 1 kyat (K) = 100 pyas Exchange rates: kyats (K) per US$1 - 6.0963 (January 1992), 6.2837 (1991), 6.3386 (1990), 6.7049 (1989), 6.46 (1988), 6.6535 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Burma Communications:Burma Communications Railroads: 3,991 km total, all government owned; 3,878 km 1.000-meter gauge, 113 km narrow-gauge industrial lines; 362 km double track Highways: 27,000 km total; 3,200 km bituminous, 17,700 km improved earth or gravel, 6,100 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 12,800 km; 3,200 km navigable by large commercial vessels Pipelines: crude oil 1,343 km; natural gas 330 km Ports: Rangoon, Moulmein, Bassein Merchant marine: 71 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,036,018 GRT/1,514,121 DWT; includes 3 passenger-cargo, 19 cargo, 5 refrigerated cargo, 3 vehicle carrier, 3 container, 2 petroleum tanker, 6 chemical, 1 combination ore/oil, 27 bulk, 1 combination bulk, 1 roll-on/roll-off Civil air: 17 major transport aircraft (including 3 helicopters) Airports: 85 total, 82 usable; 27 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 38 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service; international service is good; 53,000 telephones (1986); radiobroadcast coverage is limited to the most populous areas; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV (1985); 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Burma Defense Forces:Burma Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: eligible 15-49, 21,447,878; of the 10,745,530 males 15-49, 5,759,840 are fit for military service; of the 10,702,348 females 15-49, 5,721,868 are fit for military service; 424,474 males and 410,579 females reach military age (18) annually; both sexes are liable for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.28 billion, FY(91-92) :Burundi Geography:Burundi Geography Total area: 27,830 km2 Land area: 25,650 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: 974 km; Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km, Zaire 233 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: temperate; warm; occasional frost in uplands Terrain: mostly rolling to hilly highland; some plains Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxide, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium Land use: arable land 43%; permanent crops 8%; meadows and pastures 35%; forest and woodland 2%; other 12%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: soil exhaustion; soil erosion; deforestation Note: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed :Burundi People:Burundi People Population: 6,022,341 (July 1992), growth rate 3.2% (1992) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 106 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 51 years male, 55 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Burundian(s); adjective - Burundi Ethnic divisions: Africans - Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%; other Africans include about 70,000 refugees, mostly Rwandans and Zairians; non-Africans include about 3,000 Europeans and 2,000 South Asians Religions: Christian about 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 32%, Muslim 1% Languages: Kirundi and French (official); Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area) Literacy: 50% (male 61%, female 40%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,900,000 (1983 est.); agriculture 93.0%, government 4.0%, industry and commerce 1.5%, services 1.5%; 52% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: sole group is the Union of Burundi Workers (UTB); by charter, membership is extended to all Burundi workers (informally); active membership figures NA :Burundi Government:Burundi Government Long-form name: Republic of Burundi Type: republic Capital: Bujumbura Administrative divisions: 15 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) Constitution: 20 November 1981; suspended following the coup of 3 September 1987; a constitutional committee was charged with drafting a new constitution created in February 1991; a referendum on the new constitution scheduled for March 1992 Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Executive branch: president; chairman of the Central Committee of the National Party of Unity and Progress (UPRONA), prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) was dissolved following the coup of 3 September 1987; at an extraordinary party congress held from 27 to 29 December 1990, the Central Committee of the National Party of Unity and Progress (UPRONA) replaced the Military Committee for National Salvation, and became the supreme governing body during the transition to constitutional government Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: Major Pierre BUYOYA, President (since 9 September 1987) Head of Government: Prime Minister Adrien SIBOMANA (since 26 October 1988) Political parties and leaders: only party - National Party of Unity and Progress (UPRONA), Nicolas MAYUGI, secretary general; note - although Burundi is still officially a one-party state, at least four political parties were formed in 1991 in anticipation of proposed constitutional reform in 1992 - Burundi Democratic Front (FRODEBU), Organization of the People of Burundi (RPB), Socialist Party of Burundi (PSB), Movement for Peace and Democracy (MPD) - the Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People (PALIPEHUTU), formed in exile in the early 1980s, is an ethnically based political party dedicated to majority rule; the government has long accused PALIPEHUTU of practicing devisive ethnic politics and fomenting violence against the state. PALIPEHUTU's exclusivist charter makes it an unlikely candidate for legalization under the new constitution that will require party membership open to all ethnic groups Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: National Assembly: dissolved after the coup of 3 September 1987; note - The National Unity Charter outlining the principles for constitutional government was adopted by a national referendum on 5 February 1991 :Burundi Government:Burundi Government Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Julien KAVAKURE; Chancery at Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 342-2574 US: Ambassador Cynthia Shepherd PERRY; B. P. 1720, Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura; telephone [257] (222) 454; FAX [257] (222) 926 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:Burundi Economy Overview: A landlocked, resource-poor country in an early stage of economic development, Burundi is predominately agricultural with only a few basic industries. Its economic health depends on the coffee crop, which accounts for an average 90% of foreign exchange earnings each year. 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 export agriculture capability and attract foreign investment in industry. Several state-owned coffee companies were privatized via public auction in September 1991. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.13 billion, per capita $200; real growth rate 3.4% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.1% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $158 million; expenditures $204 million, including capital expenditures of $131 million (1989 est.) Exports: $74.7 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: coffee 88%, tea, hides, and skins partners: EC 83%, US 5%, Asia 2% Imports: $234.6 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: capital goods 31%, petroleum products 15%, foodstuffs, consumer goods partners: EC 57%, Asia 23%, US 3% External debt: $1.0 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: real growth rate 5.1% (1986); accounts for about 10% of GDP Electricity: 55,000 kW capacity; 105 million kWh produced, 20 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imports; public works construction; food processing Agriculture: accounts for 60% of GDP; 90% of population dependent on subsistence farming; marginally self-sufficient in food production; cash crops - coffee, cotton, tea; food crops - corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc; livestock - meat, milk, hides, and skins Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $71 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.2 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $32 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $175 million Currency: Burundi franc (plural - francs); 1 Burundi franc (FBu) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Burundi francs (FBu) per US$1 - 193.72 (January 1992), 181.51 (1991), 171.26 (1990), 158.67 (1989), 140.40 (1988), 123. 56 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Burundi Communications:Burundi Communications Highways: 5,900 km total; 400 km paved, 2,500 km gravel or laterite, 3,000 km improved or unimproved earth Inland waterways: Lake Tanganyika Ports: Bujumbura (lake port) connects to transportation systems of Tanzania and Zaire Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 6 total, 6 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220 to 2,439 m Telecommunications: sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and low-capacity radio relay links; 8,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Burundi Defense Forces:Burundi Defense Forces Branches: Army (includes naval and air units); paramilitary Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,306,611; 681,050 fit for military service; 59,676 reach military age (16) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $28 million, 3.7% of GDP (1989) :Cambodia Geography:Cambodia Geography Total area: 181,040 km2 Land area: 176,520 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Oklahoma Land boundaries: 2,572 km; Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km Coastline: 443 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: offshore islands and three sections of the boundary with Vietnam are in dispute; maritime boundary with Vietnam not defined Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to October); dry season (December to March); little seasonal temperature variation 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%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: a land of paddies and forests dominated by Mekong River and Tonle Sap Note: buffer between Thailand and Vietnam :Cambodia People:Cambodia People Population: 7,295,706 (July 1992), growth rate 2.1% (1992) Birth rate: 37 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 121 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 48 years male, 51 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Cambodian(s); adjective - Cambodian Ethnic divisions: Khmer 90%, Chinese 5%, other 5% Religions: Theravada Buddhism 95%, other 5% Languages: Khmer (official), French Literacy: 35% (male 48%, female 22%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2.5-3.0 million; agriculture 80% (1988 est.) Organized labor: Kampuchea Federation of Trade Unions (FSC); under government control :Cambodia Government:Cambodia Government Long-form name: none Type: currently administered by the Supreme National Council (SNC), a body set up under United Nations' auspices, in preparation for an internationally supervised election in 1993 and including representatives from each of the country's four political factions Capital: Phnom Penh Administrative divisions: 19 provinces (khet, singular and plural) and 2 autonomous cities* Banteay Meanchey, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Saom City*, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Phnom Phen City*, Pouthisat, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanokiri, Siemreab-Otdar Meanchey, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev Independence: 8 November 1949 (from France) Constitution: a new constitution will be drafted after the national election in 1993 National holiday: NGC - Independence Day, 17 April (1975); SOC - Liberation Day, 7 January (1979) Executive branch: a twelve-member Supreme National Council (SNC), chaired by Prince NORODOM SIHANOUK, composed of representatives from each of the four political factions; faction names and delegation leaders are: State of Cambodia (SOC) - HUN SEN; Democratic Kampuchea (DK or Khmer Rouge) - KHIEU SAMPHAN; Khmer People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF) - SON SANN; National United Front for an Independent, Peaceful, Neutral, and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) - Prince NORODOM RANARIDDH Legislative branch: pending a national election in 1993, the incumbent SOC faction's National Assembly is the only functioning national legislative body Judicial branch: pending a national election in 1993, the incumbent SOC faction's Supreme People's Court is the only functioning national judicial body Leaders: Chief of State: SNC - Chairman Prince NORODOM SIHANOUK, under United Nations's supervision Head of Government: NGC - vacant, formerly held by SON SANN (since July 1982); will be determined following the national election in 1993; SOC - Chairman of the Council of Ministers HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Kampuchea (DK, also known as the Khmer Rouge) under KHIEU SAMPHAN; Cambodian Pracheachon Party or Cambodian People's Party (CPP) (name changed and HENG SAMRIN replaced in October 1991) under CHEA SIM; Khmer People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF) under SON SANN; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) under Prince NORODOM RANNARIDH Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: UN-supervised election for a 120-member constituent assembly based on proportional representation within each province will be held nine months after UN-organized voter registration is complete; the election is not anticipated before April 1993; the assembly will draft and approve a constitution and then transform itself into a legislature that will create a new Cambodian Government :Cambodia Government:Cambodia Government Member of: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: the Supreme National Council (SNC) represents Cambodia in international organizations - it filled UN seat in September 1991 US: Charles TWINNING is the US representative to Cambodia Flag: SNC - blue background with white map of Cambodia in middle; SOC - two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and blue with a gold stylized five-towered temple representing Angkor Wat in the center :Cambodia Economy:Cambodia Economy Overview: Cambodia is a desperately poor country whose economic development has been stymied by deadly political infighting. The economy is based on agriculture and related industries. Over the past decade Cambodia has been slowly recovering from its near destruction by war and political upheaval. The food situation remains precarious; during the 1980s famine was averted only through international relief. In 1986 the production level of rice, the staple food crop, was able to meet only 80% of domestic needs. The biggest success of the nation's recovery program has been in new rubber plantings and in fishing. Industry, other than rice processing, is almost nonexistent. Foreign trade has been primarily with the former USSR and Vietnam, and both trade and foreign aid are being adversely affected by the breakup of the USSR. Statistical data on the economy continue to be sparse and unreliable. Foreign aid from the former USSR and Eastern Europe has virtually stopped. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $930 million, per capita $130; real growth rate NA (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 53% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $178 million expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991) Exports: $32 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: natural rubber, rice, pepper, wood partners: Vietnam, USSR, Eastern Europe, Japan, India Imports: $147 million (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: international food aid; fuels, consumer goods, machinery partners: Vietnam, USSR, Eastern Europe, Japan, India External debt: $600 million (1989) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 140,000 kW capacity; 200 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1991) 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 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $725 million; Western (non-US countries) (1970-89), $300 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $1.8 billion Currency: riel (plural - riels); 1 riel (CR) = 100 sen Exchange rates: riels (CR) per US$1 - 714 (May 1992), 500 (December 1991), 560 (1990), 159.00 (1988), 100.00 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Cambodia Communications:Cambodia Communications Railroads: 612 km 1.000-meter gauge, government owned Highways: 13,351 km total; 2,622 km bituminous; 7,105 km crushed stone, gravel, or improved earth; 3,624 km unimproved earth; some roads in disrepair Inland waterways: 3,700 km navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 meters; 282 km navigable to craft drawing 1.8 meters Ports: Kampong Saom, Phnom Penh Airports: 16 total, 8 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: service barely adequate for government requirements and virtually nonexistent for general public; international service limited to Vietnam and other adjacent countries; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV :Cambodia Defense Forces:Cambodia Defense Forces Branches: SOC - Cambodian People's Armed Forces (CPAF); Communist resistance forces - National Army of Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge); non-Communist resistance forces - Armee National Kampuchea Independent (ANKI), which is sometimes anglicized as National Army of Independent Cambodia (NAIC), and Khmer People's National Liberation Armed Forces (KPNLAF) - under the Paris peace agreement of October 1991, all four factions are to observe a cease-fire and prepare for UN-supervised cantonment, disarmament, and 70% demobilization before the election, with the fate of the remaining 30% to be determined by the newly elected government - the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) will verify the cease-fire and disarm the combatants Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,877,339; 1,032,102 fit for military service; 61,807 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Cameroon Geography:Cameroon Geography Total area: 475,440 km2 Land area: 469,440 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: 4,591 km; Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 50 nm Disputes: 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; boundary commission created with Nigeria to discuss unresolved land and maritime boundaries - has not yet convened Climate: varies with terrain from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north Terrain: diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north Natural resources: crude oil, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower potential Land use: arable land 13%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 18%; forest and woodland 54%; other 13%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: recent volcanic activity with release of poisonous gases; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification Note: sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa :Cameroon People:Cameroon People Population: 12,658,439 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 81 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 55 years male, 60 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Cameroonian(s); adjective - Cameroonian Ethnic divisions: over 200 tribes of widely differing background; Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 33%, Muslim 16% Languages: English and French (official), 24 major African language groups Literacy: 54% (male 66%, female 43%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: NA; agriculture 74.4%, industry and transport 11.4%, other services 14.2% (1983); 50% of population of working age (15-64 years) (1985) Organized labor: under 45% of wage labor force :Cameroon Government:Cameroon Government Long-form name: Republic of Cameroon Type: unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990) Capital: Yaounde Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest Independence: 1 January 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French administration; formerly French Cameroon) Constitution: 20 May 1972 Legal system: based on French civil law system, with common law influence; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 20 May (1972) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) Head of Government: interim Prime Minister Sadou HAYATOU (since 25 April 1991) Political parties and leaders: Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (RDPC), Paul BIYA, president, is government-controlled and was formerly the only party; numerous small parties formed since opposition parties were legalized in 1990 Suffrage: universal at age 20 Elections: National Assembly: next to be held 1 March 1992 President: last held 24 April 1988 (next to be held April 1993); results - President Paul BIYA reelected without opposition Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Paul PONDI; Chancery at 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-8790 through 8794 US: Ambassador Frances D. COOK; Embassy at Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde (mailing address is B. P. 817, Yaounde); telephone [237] 234014; FAX [237] 230753; there is a US Consulate General in Douala :Cameroon Government:Cameroon Government 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:Cameroon Economy Overview: Because of its offshore oil resources, Cameroon has one of the highest incomes per capita in tropical 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 1990-92, with support from the IMF and World Bank, the government has begun to introduce reforms designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, and recapitalize the nation's banks. Nationwide strikes organized by opposition parties in 1991, however, undermined these efforts. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $11.5 billion, per capita $1,040; real growth rate 0.7% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.6% (FY88) Unemployment rate: 25% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA million (FY89) Exports: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: petroleum products 56%, coffee, cocoa, timber, manufactures partners: EC (particularly France) about 50%, US 10% Imports: $2.1 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: machines and electrical equipment, transport equipment, chemical products, consumer goods partners: France 41%, Germany 9%, US 4% External debt: $4.9 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate - 6.4% (FY87); accounts for 30% of GDP Electricity: 755,000 kW capacity; 2,940 million kWh produced, 270 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: crude oil products, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, sawmills Agriculture: the agriculture and forestry sectors provide employment for the majority of the population, contributing nearly 25% to GDP and providing a high degree of self-sufficiency in staple foods; commercial and food crops include coffee, cocoa, timber, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, livestock, root starches Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $440 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $29 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $125 million :Cameroon Economy:Cameroon Economy Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Cameroon Communications:Cameroon Communications Railroads: 1,003 km total; 858 km 1.000-meter gauge, 145 km 0.600-meter gauge Highways: about 65,000 km total; includes 2,682 km paved, 32,318 km gravel and improved earth, and 30,000 km of unimproved earth Inland waterways: 2,090 km; of decreasing importance Ports: Douala Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,122 GRT/33,509 DWT Civil air: 5 major transport aircraft Airports: 56 total, 50 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 21 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good system of open wire, cable, troposcatter, and radio relay; 26,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 11 FM, 1 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Cameroon Defense Forces:Cameroon Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including naval infantry), Air Force; National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guards Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,753,059; 1,385,706 fit for military service; 120,011 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $219 million, 1.7% of GDP (1990 est.) :Canada Geography:Canada Geography Total area: 9,976,140 km2 Land area: 9,220,970 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than US Land boundaries: 8,893 km with US (includes 2,477 km with Alaska) Coastline: 243,791 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary disputes with the US Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north Terrain: mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast Natural resources: nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, crude oil, natural gas Land use: arable land 5%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 3%; forest and woodland 35%; other 57%; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: 80% of population concentrated within 160 km of US border; continuous permafrost in north a serious obstacle to development Note: second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route :Canada People:Canada People Population: 27,351,509 (July 1992), growth rate 1.3% (1992) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 6 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Canadian(s); adjective - Canadian Ethnic divisions: British Isles origin 40%, French origin 27%, other European 20%, indigenous Indian and Eskimo 1.5% Religions: Roman Catholic 46%, United Church 16%, Anglican 10% Languages: English and French (both official) Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.) Labor force: 13,380,000; services 75%, manufacturing 14%, agriculture 4%, construction 3%, other 4% (1988) Organized labor: 30.6% of labor force; 39.6% of nonagricultural paid workers :Canada Government:Canada Government Long-form name: none Type: confederation with parliamentary democracy Capital: Ottawa Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 2 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* Independence: 1 July 1867 (from UK) Constitution: amended British North America Act 1867 patriated to Canada 17 April 1982; charter of rights and unwritten customs Legal system: based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlement) consists of an upper house or Senate (Senat) and a lower house or House of Commons (Chambre des Communes) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Raymond John HNATSHYN (since 29 January 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister (Martin) Brian MULRONEY (since 4 September 1984); Deputy Prime Minister Donald Frank MAZANKOWSKI (since June 1986) Political parties and leaders: Progressive Conservative Party, Brian MULRONEY; Liberal Party, Jean CHRETIEN; New Democratic Party, Audrey McLAUGHLIN Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Commons: last held 21 November 1988 (next to be held by November 1993); results - Progressive Conservative Party 43.0%, Liberal Party 32%, New Democratic Party 20%, other 5%; seats - (295 total) Progressive Conservative Party 159, Liberal Party 80, New Democratic Party 44, independents 12 Communists: 3,000 Member of: ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB, COCOM, CP, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, FAO, G-7, G-8, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC :Canada Government:Canada Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Derek BURNEY; Chancery at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001; telephone (202) 682-1740; there are Canadian Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle US: Ambassador Peter TEELEY; Embassy at 100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa (mailing address is P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430); telephone (613) 238-5335 or (613) 238-4470; FAX (613) 238-5720; there are US Consulates General in 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: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. However, the continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas has observers discussing a possible split in the confederation; foreign investors are becoming edgy. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $521.5 billion, per capita $19,400; real growth rate -1.1% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (November 1991, annual rate) Unemployment rate: 10.3% (November 1991) Budget: revenues $111.8 billion; expenditures $138.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90 est.) Exports: $124.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, motor vehicles and parts; telecommunications equipment partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China Imports: $118 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: crude petroleum, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods, electronic computers; telecommunications equipment and parts partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea External debt: $247 billion (1987) Industrial production: growth rate -3.8% (August 1991); accounts for 34% of GDP Electricity: 106,464,000 kW capacity; 479,600 million kWh produced, 17,872 kWh per capita (1991) 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 :Canada Economy:Canada Economy Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $7.2 billion Currency: Canadian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Canadian dollar (Can$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$1 - 1.1565 (January 1992), 1.1457 (1991), 1.1668 (1990), 1.1840 (1989), 1.2307 (1988), 1.3260 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Canada Communications:Canada Communications Railroads: 93,544 km total; two major transcontinental freight railway systems - Canadian National (government owned) and Canadian Pacific Railway; passenger service - VIA (government operated) Highways: 884,272 km total; 712,936 km surfaced (250,023 km paved), 171,336 km earth Inland waterways: 3,000 km, including Saint Lawrence Seaway Pipelines: crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km Ports: Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), Saint John's (Newfoundland), Toronto, Vancouver Merchant marine: 70 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 500,904 GRT/727,118 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 3 short-sea passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 10 cargo, 2 railcar carrier, 1 refrigerated cargo, 8 roll-on/roll-off, 1 container, 28 petroleum tanker, 5 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 8 bulk; note - does not include ships used exclusively in the Great Lakes Civil air: 636 major transport aircraft; Air Canada is the major carrier Airports: 1,416 total, 1,168 usable; 455 with permanent-surface runways; 4 with runways over 3,659 m; 30 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 338 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent service provided by modern media; 18.0 million telephones; broadcast stations - 900 AM, 29 FM, 53 (1,400 repeaters) TV; 5 coaxial submarine cables; over 300 earth stations operating in INTELSAT (including 4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and domestic systems :Canada Defense Forces:Canada Defense Forces Branches: Canadian Armed Forces (including Mobile Command, Maritime Command, Air Command, Communications Command, Canadian Forces Europe, Training Commands), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 7,366,675; 6,387,459 fit for military service; 190,752 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11.4 billion, 1.7% of GDP (FY91); $10.5 billion, NA% of GDP (FY 92) :Cape Verde Geography:Cape Verde Geography Total area: 4,030 km2 Land area: 4,030 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: none Coastline: 965 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 NEGL%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest and woodland NEGL%; other 85%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: subject to prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility; volcanically and seismically active; deforestation; overgrazing Note: strategic location 500 km from African coast near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site :Cape Verde People:Cape Verde People Population: 398,276 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992) Birth rate: 48 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: - 8 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 61 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Cape Verdean(s); adjective - Cape Verdean Ethnic divisions: Creole (mulatto) about 71%, African 28%, European 1% Religions: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs Languages: Portuguese and Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West African words Literacy: 66% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.) Labor force: 102,000 (1985 est.); agriculture (mostly subsistence) 57%, services 29%, industry 14% (1981); 51% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: Trade Unions of Cape Verde Unity Center (UNTC-CS) :Cape Verde Government:Cape Verde Government Long-form name: Republic of Cape Verde Type: republic Capital: Praia Administrative divisions: 14 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo, Maio, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) Constitution: 7 September 1980; amended 12 February 1981, December 1988, and 28 September 1990 (legalized opposition parties) National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975) Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy minister, secretaries of state, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral People's National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular) Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Justia) Leaders: Chief of State: President Antonio Monteiro MASCARENHAS (since 22 March 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Carlos VEIGA (since 13 January 1991) Political parties and leaders: Movement for Democracy (MPD), Prime Minister Carlos VEIGA, founder and chairman; African Party for Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: People's National Assembly: last held 13 January 1991 (next to be held January 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (79 total) MPD 56, PAICV 23; note - this multiparty Assembly election ended 15 years of single-party rule President: last held 17 February 1991 (next to be held February 1996); results - Antonio Monteiro MASCARENHAS (MPD) received 72.6% of vote Member of: ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Carlos Alberto Santos SILVA; Chancery at 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 965-6820; there is a Cape Verdean Consulate General in Boston US: Ambassador Francis T. (Terry) McNAMARA; Embassy at Rua Hoji Ya Henda Yenna 81, Praia (mailing address is C. P. 201, Praia); telephone [238] 61-43-63 or 61-42-53; FAX [238] 61-13-55 :Cape Verde Government:Cape Verde Government Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; in the upper portion of the red band is a black five-pointed star framed by two corn stalks and a yellow clam shell; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Guinea-Bissau, which is longer and has an unadorned black star centered in the red band :Cape Verde Economy:Cape Verde Economy Overview: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor natural resource base, a 17-year drought, and a high birthrate. The economy is service oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for 65% of GDP during the period 1985-88. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, agriculture's share of GDP is only 16%; the fishing sector accounts for 4%. About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. In 1988 fishing represented only 3.5% of GDP. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by remittances from emigrants and foreign aid. Economic reforms launched by the new democratic government in February 1991 are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $310 million, per capita $800; real growth rate 4% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (1988) Budget: revenues $98.3 million; expenditures $138.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988 est.) Exports: $10.9 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: fish, bananas, salt partners: Portugal 40%, Algeria 31%, Angola, Netherlands (1990 est.) Imports: $107.8 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: petroleum, foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products partners: Sweden 33%, Spain 11%, Germany 5%, Portugal 3%, France 3%, Netherlands, US (1990 est.) External debt: $150 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 18% (1988 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP Electricity: 15,000 kW capacity; 15 million kWh produced, 40 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: fish processing, salt mining, clothing factories, ship repair, construction materials, food and beverage production Agriculture: accounts for 16% of GDP; 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 limited rainfall; annual food imports required; fish catch provides for both domestic consumption and small exports Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY75-89), $88 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $537 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $12 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $36 million Currency: Cape Verdean escudo (plural - escudos); 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos :Cape Verde Economy:Cape Verde Economy Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1 - 71.28 (March 1992), 71.41 (1991), 64.10 (November 1990), 74.86 (December 1989), 72.01 (1988), 72.5 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Cape Verde Communications:Cape Verde Communications Ports: Mindelo, Praia Merchant marine: 7 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,717 GRT/19,000 DWT Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 6 total, 6 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: interisland radio relay system, high-frequency radio to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; over 1,700 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 6 FM, 1 TV; 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Cape Verde Defense Forces:Cape Verde Defense Forces Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP) - Army and Navy are separate components of FARP; Security Service Manpower availability: males 15-49, 72,916; 43,010 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Cayman Islands Geography:Cayman Islands Geography Total area: 260 km2 Land area: 260 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 160 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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% Environment: within the Caribbean hurricane belt Note: important location between Cuba and Central America :Cayman Islands People:Cayman Islands People Population: 29,139 (July 1992), growth rate 4.4% (1992) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 33 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Caymanian(s); adjective - Caymanian Ethnic divisions: 40% mixed, 20% white, 20% black, 20% expatriates of various ethnic groups Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant denominations Languages: English Literacy: 98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 8,061; service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction 12.5%, finance and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers 5.9% (1979) Organized labor: Global Seaman's Union; Cayman All Trade Union :Cayman Islands Government:Cayman Islands Government Long-form name: none Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: George Town Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 Legal system: British common law and local statutes National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July) Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Grand Court, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Michael GORE (since May 1992) Head of Government: Governor and President of the Executive Council Alan James SCOTT (since NA 1987) Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total, 12 elected) Member of: CARICOM (observer), CDB, IOC Diplomatic representation: as a dependent territory of the UK, Caymanian interests in the US are represented by the UK US: none 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 HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS :Cayman Islands Economy:Cayman Islands Economy Overview: The economy depends heavily on tourism (70% of GDP and 75% of export 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 needs must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the region. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $384 million, per capita $14,500 (1989); real growth rate 8% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $83.6 million; expenditures $98.9 million, including capital expenditures of $13.6 million (1990) Exports: $1.5 million (f.o.b., 1987 est.) commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods partners: mostly US Imports: $136 million (c.i.f., 1987 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan External debt: $15 million (1986) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 74,000 kW capacity; 256 million kWh produced, 9,313 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, building materials, furniture making Agriculture: minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtle farming Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $26.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $35 million Currency: Caymanian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 1.20 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Cayman Islands Communications:Cayman Islands Communications Highways: 160 km of main roads Ports: George Town, Cayman Brac Merchant marine: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 364,174 GRT/560,241 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 7 cargo, 8 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 6 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 1 liquefied gas carrier, 5 bulk, 2 combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 3 total; 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 35,000 telephones; telephone system uses 1 submarine coaxial cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station to link islands and access international services; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, no TV :Cayman Islands Defense Forces:Cayman Islands Defense Forces Branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF) Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Central African Republic Geography:Central African Republic Geography Total area: 622,980 km2 Land area: 622,980 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: 5,203 km; Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km, Zaire 1,577 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked 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 NEGL%; meadows and pastures 5%; forest and woodland 64%; other 28% Environment: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; poaching has diminished reputation as one of last great wildlife refuges; desertification Note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa :Central African Republic People:Central African Republic People Population: 3,029,080 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992) Birth rate: 43 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 135 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 46 years male, 49 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Central African(s); adjective - Central African Ethnic divisions: about 80 ethnic groups, the majority of which have related ethnic and linguistic characteristics; Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum 4%, M'Baka 4%; 6,500 Europeans, of whom 3,600 are French Religions: indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, other 11%; animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority Languages: French (official); Sangho (lingua franca and national language); Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili Literacy: 27% (male 33%, female 15%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 775,413 (1986 est.); agriculture 85%, commerce and services 9%, industry 3%, government 3%; about 64,000 salaried workers; 55% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: 1% of labor force :Central African Republic Government:Central African Republic Government Long-form name: Central African Republic (no short-form name); abbreviated CAR Type: republic, one-party presidential regime since 1986 Capital: Bangui Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui** Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France; formerly Central African Empire) Constitution: 21 November 1986 Legal system: based on French law National holiday: National Day (proclamation of the republic), 1 December (1958) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) advised by the Economic and Regional Council (Conseil Economique et Regional); when they sit together this is known as the Congress (Congres) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State:: President Andre-Dieudonne KOLINGBA (since 1 September 1981) Head of Government:: Prime Minister Edouard FRANCK (since 15 March 1991) Political parties and leaders: Centrafrican Democratic Rally Party (RDC), Andre-Dieudonne KOLINGBA; note - as part of political reforms leading to a democratic system announced in April 1991, 18 opposition parties have been legalized Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: National Assembly: last held 31 July 1987 (next to be held by end of 1992); results - RDC is the only party; seats - (52 total) RDC 52 President: last held 21 November 1986 (next to be held by end of 1992); results - President KOLINGBA was reelected without opposition Communists: small number of Communist sympathizers Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jean-Pierre SOHAHONG-KOMBET; Chancery at 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-7800 or 7801 US: Ambassador Daniel H. SIMPSON; Embassy at Avenue du President David Dacko, Bangui (mailing address is B. P. 924, Bangui); telephone 61-02-00, 61-25-78, or 61-43-33; FAX [190] (236) 61-44-94 :Central African Republic Government:Central African Republic Government 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:Central African Republic Economy Overview: Subsistence agriculture, including forestry, is the backbone of the CAR economy, with more than 70% of the population living in the countryside. In 1988 the agricultural sector generated about 40% of GDP. Agricultural products accounted for about 60% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 30%. The country's 1991 budget deficit was US $70 million and in 1992 is expected to be about the same. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, and a weak human resource base. Multilateral and bilateral development assistance, particularly from France, plays a major role in providing capital for new investment. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.3 billion, per capita $440; real growth rate - 3.0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -3.0% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% in Bangui (1988 est.) Budget: revenues $121 million; expenditures $193 million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (1991 est.) Exports: $151.3 million (1990 est.) commodities: diamonds, cotton, coffee, timber, tobacco partners: France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, US Imports: $214.5 million (1990 est.) commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products partners: France, other EC countries, Japan, Algeria, Yugoslavia External debt: $700 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: 0.8% (1988); accounts for 12% of GDP Electricity: 40,000 kW capacity; 95 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; self-sufficient in food production except for grain; commercial crops - cotton, coffee, tobacco, timber; food crops - manioc, yams, millet, corn, bananas Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $49 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $6 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $38 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) :Central African Republic Economy:Central African Republic Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Central African Republic Communications:Central African Republic Communications Highways: 22,000 km total; 458 km bituminous, 10,542 km improved earth, 11,000 unimproved earth Inland waterways: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 66 total, 52 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system; network relies primarily on radio relay links, with low-capacity, low-powered radiocommunication also used; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Central African Republic Defense Forces:Central African Republic Defense Forces Branches: Central African Army (including Republican Guard), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 677,889; 354,489 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $23 million, 1.8% of GDP (1989 est.) :Chad Geography:Chad Geography Total area: 1,284,000 km2 Land area: 1,259,200 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of California Land boundaries: 5,968 km; Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: Libya claims and occupies the 100,000 km2 Aozou Strip in the far north; 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 northwest, lowlands in south Natural resources: crude oil (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad) Land use: arable land 2%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 36%; forest and woodland 11%; other 51%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; drought and desertification adversely affecting south; subject to plagues of locusts Note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel :Chad People:Chad People Population: 5,238,908 (July 1992), growth rate 2.1% (1992) Birth rate: 42 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 21 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 136 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 39 years male, 41 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Chadian(s); adjective - Chadian Ethnic divisions: some 200 distinct ethnic groups, most of whom are Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba) in the north and center and non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang, Moussei, Massa) in the south; some 150,000 nonindigenous, of whom 1,000 are French Religions: Muslim 44%, Christian 33%, indigenous beliefs, animism 23% Languages: French and Arabic (official); Sara and Sango in south; more than 100 different languages and dialects are spoken Literacy: 30% (male 42%, female 18%) age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic (1990 est.) Labor force: NA; agriculture (engaged in unpaid subsistence farming, herding, and fishing) 85% Organized labor: about 20% of wage labor force :Chad Government:Chad Government Long-form name: Republic of Chad Type: republic Capital: N'Djamena Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France) Constitution: 22 December 1989, suspended 3 December 1990; Provisional National Charter 1 March 1991 Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: 11 August Executive branch: president, Council of State (cabinet) Legislative branch: the National Consultative Council (Conseil National Consultatif) was disbanded 3 December 1990 and replaced by the Provisional Council of the Republic; 30 members appointed by President DEBY on 8 March 1991 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: Col. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister Jean ALINGUE Bawoyeu (since 8 March 1991) Political parties and leaders: Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS; former dissident group), Idriss DEBY, chairman; President DEBY has promised political pluralism, a new constitution, and free elections by September 1993; numerous dissident groups; national conference to be held in 1992 Suffrage: universal at age NA Elections: National Consultative Council: last held 8 July 1990; disbanded 3 December 1990 President: last held 10 December 1989 (next to be held NA); results - President Hissein HABRE was elected without opposition; note - the government of then President HABRE fell on 1 December 1990, and Idriss DEBY seized power on 3 December 1990; national conference scheduled for mid-1992 and election to follow in 1993 Communists: no front organizations or underground party; probably a few Communists and some sympathizers Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO :Chad Government:Chad Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador ACHEIKH ibn Oumar; Chancery at 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 462-4009 US: Ambassador Richard W. BOGOSIAN; Embassy at Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena (mailing address is B. P. 413, N'Djamena); telephone [235] (51) 62-18, 40-09, or 51-62-11; FAX [235] 51-33-72 Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flag of Andorra, which has a national coat of arms featuring a quartered shield centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France :Chad Economy:Chad Economy Overview: The climate, geographic location, and lack of infrastructure and natural resources potential make Chad one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world. Its economy is burdened by the ravages of civil war, conflict with Libya, drought, and food shortages. In 1986 real GDP returned to its 1977 level, with cotton, the major cash crop, accounting for 48% of exports. Over 80% of the work force is employed in subsistence farming and fishing. Industry is based almost entirely on the processing of agricultural products, including cotton, sugarcane, and cattle. Chad is highly dependent on foreign aid, with its economy in trouble and many regions suffering from shortages. Oil companies are exploring areas north of Lake Chad and in the Doba basin in the south. Since coming to power in December 1990, the Deby government has experienced a year of economic chaos. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.0 billion, per capita $205; real growth rate 0.9% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): --4.9% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA Budget: entirely funded by outside donors Exports: $174 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: cotton 48%, cattle 35%, textiles 5%, fish partners: France, Nigeria, Cameroon Imports: $264 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 39%, industrial goods 20%, petroleum products 13%, foodstuffs 9%; note - excludes military equipment partners: US, France, Nigeria, Cameroon External debt: $530 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 12.9% (1989 est.); accounts for nearly 15% of GDP Electricity: 40,000 kW capacity; 70 million kWh produced, 15 kWh per capita (1991) 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: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $198 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $28 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $80 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes :Chad Economy:Chad Economy Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine Francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Chad Communications:Chad Communications Highways: 31,322 km total; 32 km bituminous; 7,300 km gravel and laterite; remainder unimproved earth Inland waterways: 2,000 km navigable Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 71 total, 55 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 25 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system of radiocommunication stations for intercity links; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 1 FM, limited TV service; many facilities are inoperative; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Chad Defense Forces:Chad Defense Forces Branches: Army (includes Ground Forces, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), National Police, Republican Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,217,728; 632,833 fit for military service; 50,966 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $39 million, 4.3% of GDP (1988) :Chile Geography:Chile Geography Total area: 756,950 km2 Land area: 748,800 km2; includes Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) and Isla Sala y Gomez Comparative area: slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana Land boundaries: 6,171 km; Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km Coastline: 6,435 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 claim Climate: temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in south Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east Natural resources: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum Land use: arable land 7%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 16%; forest and woodland 21%; other 56%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: subject to severe earthquakes, active volcanism, tsunami; Atacama Desert one of world's driest regions; desertification Note: strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage) :Chile People:Chile People Population: 13,528,945 (July 1992), growth rate 1.6% (1992) Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 77 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Chilean(s); adjective - Chilean Ethnic divisions: European and European-Indian 95%, Indian 3%, other 2% Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, and small Jewish population Languages: Spanish Literacy: 93% (male 94%, female 93%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 4,728,000; services 38.3% (includes government 12%); industry and commerce 33.8%; agriculture, forestry, and fishing 19.2%; mining 2.3%; construction 6.4% (1990) Organized labor: 13% of labor force (1990) :Chile Government:Chile Government Long-form name: Republic of Chile Type: republic Capital: Santiago Administrative divisions: 13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana, Tarapaca, Valparaiso; note - the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain) Constitution: 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30 July 1989 Legal system: based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) consisting of an upper house or Senate (Senado) and a lower house or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Patricio AYLWIN Azocar (since 11 March 1990) Political parties and leaders: Concertation of Parties for Democracy now consists mainly of five parties - Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle; Party for Democracy (PPD), Erich SCHNAKE; Radical Party (PR), Carlos GONZALEZ Marquez; Social Democratic Party (PSP), Roberto MUNOZ Barros; Socialist Party (PS), Ricardo NUNEZ; National Renovation (RN), Andres ALLAMAND; Independent Democratic Union (UDI), Julio DITTBORN; Center-Center Union (UCC), Francisco Juner ERRAZURIZA; Communist Party of Chile (PCCh), Volodia TEITELBOIM; Movement of Revolutionary Left (MIR) is splintered, no single leader Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held 14 December 1989 (next to be held December 1993 or January 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) Concertation of Parties for Democracy 72 (PDC 38, PPD 17, PR 5, other 12), RN 29, UDI 11, right-wing independents 8 President: last held 14 December 1989 (next to be held December 1993 or January 1994); results - Patricio AYLWIN (PDC) 55.2%, Hernan BUCHI 29.4%, other 15.4% Senate: last held 14 December 1989 (next to be held December 1993 or January 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (46 total, 38 elected) Concertation of Parties for Democracy 22 (PDC 13, PPD 5, PR 2, PSD 1, PRSD 1), RN 6, UDI 2, independents 8 :Chile Government:Chile Government Communists: The PCCh has legal party status and has less than 60,000 members Other political or pressure groups: revitalized university student federations at all major universities dominated by opposition political groups; labor - United Labor Central (CUT) includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations; Roman Catholic Church Member of: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WFTV, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Patricio SILVA Echenique; Chancery at 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 785-1746; there are Chilean Consulates General in Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco US: Ambassador Curtis KAMMAN; Embassy at Codina Building, 1343 Agustinas, Santiago (mailing address is APO AA 34033); telephone [56] (2) 671-0133; FAX [56] (2) 699-1141 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:Chile Economy Overview: The government of President Aylwin, which took power in 1990, has opted to retain the orthodox economic policies of Pinochet, although the share of spending for social welfare has risen slightly. In 1991 growth in GDP recovered to 5.5% (led by consumer spending) after only 2.1% growth in 1990. The tight monetary policy of 1990 helped cut the rate of inflation from 27.3% in 1990 to 18.7% in 1991. Despite a 12% drop in copper prices, the trade surplus rose in 1991, and international reserves increased. Inflationary pressures are not expected to ease much in 1992, and economic growth is likely to approach 7%. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $30.5 billion, per capita $2,300; real growth rate 5.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18.7% (1991) Unemployment rate: 6.5% (1991) Budget: revenues $7.6 billion; expenditures $8.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $772 million (1991 est.) Exports: $8.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: copper 50%, other metals and minerals 7%, wood products 6.5%, fish and fishmeal 9%, fruits 5% (1989) partners: EC 36%, US 18%, Japan 14%, Brazil 6% (1989) Imports: $7.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: petroleum, wheat, capital goods, spare parts, raw materials partners: EC 20%, US 20%, Japan 11%, Brazil 10% (1989) External debt: $16.2 billion (October 1991) Industrial production: growth rate 5.9% (1991 est.); accounts for 36% of GDP Electricity: 5,502,800 kW capacity; 21,470 million kWh produced, 1,616 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles Agriculture: accounts for about 9% 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; 1989 fish catch of 6.1 million metric tons; net agricultural importer Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $521 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.6 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $386 million Currency: Chilean peso (plural - pesos); 1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1 - 368.66 (January 1992), 349.37 (1991), 305.06 (1990), 267.16 (1989), 245.05 (1988), 219.54 (1987) :Chile Economy:Chile Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Chile Communications:Chile Communications Railroads: 7,766 km total; 3,974 km 1.676-meter gauge, 150 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 3,642 km 1.000-meter gauge; electrification, 1,865 km 1.676-meter gauge, 80 km 1.000-meter gauge Highways: 79,025 km total; 9,913 km paved, 33,140 km gravel, 35,972 km improved and unimproved earth (1984) Inland waterways: 725 km Pipelines: crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural gas 320 km Ports: Antofagasta, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, Valparaiso, San Antonio, Talcahuano, Arica Merchant marine: 33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 468,873 GRT/780,932 DWT; includes 11 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 3 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 3 combination ore/oil, 9 bulk; note - in addition, 2 naval tanker and 2 military transport are sometimes used commercially Civil air: 29 major transport aircraft Airports: 390 total, 349 usable; 48 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 58 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: modern telephone system based on extensive microwave relay facilities; 768,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 159 AM, no FM, 131 TV, 11 shortwave; satellite ground stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 3 domestic :Chile Defense Forces:Chile Defense Forces Branches: Army of the Nation, National Navy (including Naval Air, Coast Guard, and Marines), Air Force of the Nation, Carabineros of Chile (National Police), Investigative Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 3,600,654; 2,685,924 fit for military service; 118,480 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1 billion, 3.4% of GDP (1991 est.) :China Geography:China Geography Total area: 9,596,960 km2 Land area: 9,326,410 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than the US Land boundaries: 22,143.34 km; Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia 4,673 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km Coastline: 14,500 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: claim to shallow areas of East China Sea and Yellow Sea Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: boundary with India; bilateral negotiations are under way to resolve disputed sections of the boundary with Russia; boundary with Tajikistan under dispute: a short section of the boundary with North Korea is indefinite; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; maritime boundary dispute with Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto, as does Taiwan, (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai) 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, crude oil, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, world's largest hydropower potential Land use: arable land 10%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 31%; forest and woodland 14%; other 45%; includes irrigated 5% Environment: frequent typhoons (about five times per year along southern and eastern coasts), damaging floods, tsunamis, earthquakes; deforestation; soil erosion; industrial pollution; water pollution; air pollution; desertification Note: world's third-largest country (after Russia and Canada) :China People:China People Population: 1,169,619,601 (July 1992), growth rate 1.6% (1992) Birth rate: 22 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 32 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 72 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Chinese (singular and plural); adjective - Chinese Ethnic divisions: Han Chinese 93.3%; Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 6.7% Religions: officially atheist, but traditionally pragmatic and eclectic; most important elements of religion are Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism; Muslim 2-3%, Christian 1% (est.) Languages: Standard Chinese (Putonghua) or Mandarin (based on the Beijing dialect); also Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, and minority languages (see ethnic divisions) Literacy: 73% (male 84%, female 62%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 567,400,000; agriculture and forestry 60%, industry and commerce 25%, construction and mining 5%, social services 5%, other 5% (1990 est.) Organized labor: All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) follows the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party; membership over 80 million or about 65% of the urban work force (1985) :China Government:China Government Long-form name: People's Republic of China; abbreviated PRC Type: Communist Party - led state Capital: Beijing Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions* (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 3 municipalities** (shi, singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing Shi**, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanghai Shi**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin Shi**, Xinjiang*, Xizang*, Yunnan, Zhejiang; note - China considers Taiwan its 23rd province Independence: unification under the Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty 221 BC, Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912, People's Republic established 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 National holiday: National Day, 1 October (1949) Executive branch: president, vice president, premier, five vice premiers, State Council Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Congress (Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui) Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court Leaders: Chief of State: President YANG Shangkun (since 8 April 1988); Vice President WANG Zhen (since 8 April 1988) Chief of State and Head of Government (de facto): DENG Xiaoping (since mid-1977) Head of Government: Premier LI Peng (Acting Premier since 24 November 1987, Premier since 9 April 1988); Vice Premier YAO Yilin (since 2 July 1979); Vice Premier TIAN Jiyun (since 20 June 1983); Vice Premier WU Xueqian (since 12 April 1988); Vice Premier ZOU Jiahua (since 8 April 1991); Vice Premier ZHU Rongji (since 8 April 1991) Political parties and leaders: - Chinese Communist Party (CCP), JIANG Zemin, general secretary of the Central Committee (since 24 June 1989); also, eight registered small parties controlled by CCP Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National People's Congress: last held March 1988 (next to be held March 1993); results - CCP is the only party but there are also independents; seats - (2,976 total) CCP and independents 2,976 (indirectly elected at county or xian level) President: last held 8 April 1988 (next to be held March 1993); results - YANG Shangkun was nominally elected by the Seventh National People's Congress :China Government:China Government Communists: 49,000,000 party members (1990 est.) Other political or pressure groups: such meaningful opposition as exists consists of loose coalitions, usually within the party and government organization, that vary by issue Member of: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UN Security Council, UNTSO, UN Trusteeship Council, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador ZHU Qizhen; Chancery at 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-2500 through 2502; there are Chinese Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco US: Ambassador J. Stapleton ROY; Embassy at Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, Beijing (mailing address is 100600, PSC 461, Box 50, Beijing or FPO AP 96521-0002); telephone [86] (1) 532-3831; FAX [86] (1) 532-3178; there are US Consulates General in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and 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: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 have 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 foreign economic sector to increased trade and joint ventures. The most gratifying result has been a strong spurt 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 and thereby lessening the credibility of the reform process. In 1991 output rose substantially, particularly in the favored coastal areas. 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. GNP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate 6% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1991) Unemployment rate: 4.0% in urban areas (1991) Budget: deficit $9.5 billion (1990) Exports: $71.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: textiles, garments, telecommunications and recording equipment, petroleum, minerals partners: Hong Kong, Japan, US, USSR, Singapore (1990) Imports: $63.8 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: specialized industrial machinery, chemicals, manufactured goods, steel, textile yarn, fertilizer partners: Hong Kong, Japan, US, Germany, Taiwan (1990) External debt: $51 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 14.0% (1991); accounts for 45% of GNP Electricity: 138,000,000 kW capacity (1990); 670,000 million kWh produced (1991), 582 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: iron, steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, consumer durables, food processing :China Economy:China Economy Agriculture: accounts for 26% of GNP; 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 8 million metric tons in 1986 Illicit drugs: transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle Economic aid: donor - to less developed countries (1970-89) $7.0 billion; US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $220.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $13.5 billion Currency: yuan (plural - yuan); 1 yuan (Y) = 10 jiao Exchange rates: yuan (Y) per US$1 - 5.4481 (January 1992), 5.3234 (1991), 4.7832 (1990), 3.7651 (1989), 3.7221 (1988), 3.7221 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :China Communications:China Communications Railroads: total about 54,000 km common carrier lines; 53,400 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; 600 km 1.000-meter gauge; of these 11,200 km are double track standard-gauge lines; 6,900 km electrified (1990); 10,000 km dedicated industrial lines (gauges range from 0.762 to 1.067 meters) Highways: about 1,029,000 km (1990) all types roads; 170,000 km (est.) paved roads, 648,000 km (est.) gravel/improved earth roads, 211,000 km (est.) unimproved earth roads and tracks Inland waterways: 138,600 km; about 109,800 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 9,700 km (1990); petroleum products 1,100 km; natural gas 6,200 km Ports: Dalian, Guangzhou, Huangpu, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Xingang, Zhanjiang, Ningbo, Xiamen, Tanggu, Shantou Merchant marine: 1,454 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,887,312 GRT/20,916,127 DWT; includes 25 passenger, 42 short-sea passenger, 18 passenger-cargo, 6 cargo/training, 801 cargo, 10 refrigerated cargo, 77 container, 19 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 multifunction/barge carrier, 177 petroleum tanker, 10 chemical tanker, 254 bulk, 3 liquefied gas, 1 vehicle carrier, 9 combination bulk, 1 barge carrier; note - China beneficially owns an additional 194 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling approximately 7,077,089 DWT that operate under Panamanian, British, Hong Kong, Maltese, Liberian, Vanuatu, Cyprus, and Saint Vincent registry Civil air: 284 major transport aircraft (1988 est.) Airports: 330 total, 330 usable; 260 with permanent-surface runways; fewer than 10 with runways over 3,500 m; 90 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 200 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed internal system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and most townships; 11,000,000 telephones (December 1989); broadcast stations - 274 AM, unknown FM, 202 (2,050 repeaters) TV; more than 215 million radio receivers; 75 million TVs; satellite earth stations - 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 INMARSAT, and 55 domestic :China Defense Forces:China Defense Forces Branches: People's Liberation Army (PLA), PLA Navy (including Marines), PLA Air Force, People's Armed Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 339,554,712; 188,995,620 fit for military service; 11,691,967 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $12-15 billion, NA of GNP (1991 est.) :Christmas Island Geography:Christmas Island Geography Total area: 135 km2 Land area: 135 km2 Comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 138.9 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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% Environment: almost completely surrounded by a reef Note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean :Christmas Island People:Christmas Island People Population: 929 (July 1992), growth rate NA% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Christmas Islander(s); adjective - Christmas Island Ethnic divisions: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%; no indigenous population Religions: Buddhist 36.1%, Muslim 25.4%, Christian 17.7% (Roman Catholic 8.2%, Church of England 3.2%, Presbyterian 0.9%, Uniting Church 0.4%, Methodist 0.2%, Baptist 0.1%, and other 4.7%), none 12.7%, unknown 4.6%, other 3.5% (1981) Languages: English Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA; all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas Island, Ltd. Organized labor: NA :Christmas Island Government:Christmas Island Government Long-form name: Territory of Christmas Island Type: territory of Australia Capital: The Settlement Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958 Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia National holiday: NA Executive branch: British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, Advisory Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: none Judicial branch: none Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Administrator W. A. MCKENZIE (since NA) Member of: none Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used :Christmas Island Economy: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, with a possible opening date during the first half of 1992. GDP: NA - $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA commodities: phosphate partners: Australia, NZ Imports: $NA commodities: NA partners: NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 11,000 kW capacity; 30 million kWh produced, 13,170 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: phosphate extraction (near depletion) Agriculture: NA Economic aid: none Currency: Australian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3360 (January 1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Christmas Island Communications:Christmas Island Communications Ports: Flying Fish Cove Airports: 1 usable with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 4,000 radios (1982) :Christmas Island Defense Forces:Christmas Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia :Clipperton Island Geography:Clipperton Island Geography Total area: 7 km2 Land area: 7 km2 Comparative area: about 12 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 11.1 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 (coral) 100% Environment: reef about 8 km in circumference Note: located 1,120 km southwest of Mexico in the North Pacific Ocean; also called Ile de la Passion :Clipperton Island People:Clipperton Island People Population: uninhabited :Clipperton Island Government:Clipperton Island Government Long-form name: none Type: French possession administered by France from French Polynesia by High Commissioner of the Republic Jean MONTPEZAT Capital: none; administered by France from French Polynesia :Clipperton Island Economy:Clipperton Island Economy Overview: The only economic activity is a tuna fishing station. :Clipperton Island Communications:Clipperton Island Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only :Clipperton Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Cocos Islands Geography:Cocos Islands Geography Total area: 14 km2 Land area: 14 km2; main islands are West Island and Home Island Comparative area: about 24 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 2.6 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm Disputes: none Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeasttrade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rain fall Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation Note: located 1,070 km southwest of Sumatra (Indonesia) in the Indian Ocean about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka :Cocos Islands People:Cocos Islands People Population: 597 (July 1992), growth rate - 0.5% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Cocos Islander(s); adjective - Cocos Islander Ethnic divisions: mostly Europeans on West Island and Cocos Malays on Home Island Religions: almost all Sunni Muslims Languages: English Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: none :Cocos Islands Government:Cocos Islands Government Long-form name: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands Type: territory of Australia Capital: West Island Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws National holiday: NA Executive branch: British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, chairman of the Islands Council Legislative branch: unicameral Islands Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Administrator B. CUNNINGHAM (since NA); Chairman of the Islands Council Haji Wahin bin BYNIE (since NA) Suffrage: NA Elections: NA Member of: none Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used :Cocos Islands Economy:Cocos 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. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA commodities: copra partners: Australia Imports: $NA commodities: foodstuffs partners: Australia External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 1,000 kW capacity; 2 million kWh produced, 2,980 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: copra products Agriculture: gardens provide vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Economic aid: none Currency: Australian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3360 (January 1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Cocos Islands Communications:Cocos Islands Communications Ports: none; lagoon anchorage only Airports: 1 airfield with permanent-surface runway, 1,220-2,439 m; airport on West Island is a link in service between Australia and South Africa Telecommunications: 250 radios (1985); linked by telephone, telex, and facsimile communications via satellite with Australia; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV :Cocos Islands Defense Forces:Cocos Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia :Colombia Geography:Colombia Geography Total area: 1,138,910 km2 Land area: 1,038,700 km2; includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bank Comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Montana Land boundaries: 7,408 km; Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 2,900, Venezuela 2,050 km Coastline: 3,208 km; Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specified Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial dispute with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes mountains, eastern lowland plains Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds Land use: arable land 4%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 29%; forest and woodland 49%; other 16%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides; periodic droughts Note: only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea :Colombia People:Colombia People Population: 34,296,941 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992) Birth rate: 24 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 31 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.6 children born/woman (1992) 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: 87% (male 88%, female 86%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 12,000,000 (1990); services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990) Organized labor: 984,000 members (1989), about 8.2% of labor force; the Communist-backed Unitary Workers Central or CUT is the largest labor organization, with about 725,000 members (including all affiliate unions) :Colombia Government:Colombia Government Long-form name: Republic of Colombia Type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure Capital: Bogota Administrative divisions: 23 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento), 5 commissariats* (comisarias, singular - comisaria), and 4 intendancies** (intendencias, singular - intendencia); Amazonas*, Antioquia, Arauca**, Atlantico, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare**, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia*, Guaviare*, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo**, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia**, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes*, Vichada*; note - there may be a new special district (distrito especial) named Bogota; the Constitution of 5 July 1991 states that the commissariats and intendancies are to become full departments and a capital district (distrito capital) of Santa Fe de Bogota is to be established by 1997 Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain) Constitution: 5 July 1991 Legal system: based on Spanish law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810) Executive branch: president, presidential designate, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso) consists of a nationally elected upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a nationally elected lower chamber or House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo (since 7 August 1990) Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PL), Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo, president; Social Conservative Party (PCS), Misael PASTRANA Borrero; National Salvation Movement (MSN), Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado; Democratic Alliance M-19 (AD/M-19) is headed by 19th of April Movement (M-19) leader Antonio NAVARRO Wolf, coalition of small leftist parties and dissident liberals and conservatives; Patriotic Union (UP) is a legal political party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Colombian Communist Party (PCC), Carlos ROMERO Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 27 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo (Liberal) 47%, Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado (National Salvation Movement) 24%, Antonio NAVARRO Wolff (M-19) 13%, Rodrigo LLOREDA (Conservative) 12% Senate: last held 27 October 1991 (next to be held March 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (102 total) Liberal 58, Conservative 22, AD/M-19 9, MSN 5, UP 1, others 7 :Colombia Government:Colombia Government House of Representatives: last held 27 October 1991 (next to be held March 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (161 total) Liberal 87, Conservative 31, AD/M-19 13, MSN 10, UP 3, other 17 Communists: 18,000 members (est.), including Communist Party Youth Organization (JUCO) Other political or pressure groups: three insurgent groups are active in Colombia - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), led by Manuel MARULANDA and Alfonso CANO; National Liberation Army (ELN), led by Manuel PEREZ; and dissidents of the recently demobilized People's Liberation Army (EPL) led by Francisco CARABALLO Member of: AG, CDB, CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-11, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jaime GARCIA Parra; Chancery at 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 387-8338; there are Colombian Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Tampa US: Ambassador Morris D. BUSBY; Embassy at Calle 38, No. 8-61, Bogota (mailing address is P. O. Box A. A. 3831, Bogota or APO AA 34038); telephone [57] (1) 285-1300 or 1688; FAX [571] 288-5687; there is a US Consulate in Barranquilla Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center :Colombia Economy:Colombia Economy Overview: Economic development has slowed gradually since 1986, but growth rates remain high by Latin American standards. Conservative economic policies have kept inflation and unemployment near 30% and 10%, respectively. The rapid development of oil, coal, and other nontraditional industries over the past four years has helped to offset the decline in coffee prices - Colombia's major export. The collapse of the International Coffee Agreement in the summer of 1989, a troublesome rural insurgency, and drug-related violence have dampened growth, but significant economic reforms are likely to facilitate a resurgent economy in the medium term. These reforms center on fiscal restraint, trade liberalization, and privatization of state utilities and commercial banks. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $45 billion, per capita $1,300; real growth rate 3.7% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 26.8% (1991) Unemployment rate: 10.5% (1991) Budget: revenues $4.39 billion; current expenditures $3.93 billion, capital expenditures $1.03 billion (1989 est.) Exports: $7.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: petroleum (19%), coffee, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowers partners: US 40%, EC 21%, Japan 5%, Netherlands 4%, Sweden 3% Imports: $6.1 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: industrial equipment, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, paper products partners: US 36%, EC 16%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 3%, Japan 3% External debt: $17.0 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 1% (1991 est.); accounts for 21% of GDP Electricity: 9,624,000 kW capacity; 38,856 million kWh produced, 1,150 kWh per capita (1991) 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% (1991 est.) accounts for 22% 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 cannabis, coca, and opium; about 37,500 hectares of coca under cultivation; major supplier of cocaine to the US and other international drug markets :Colombia Economy:Colombia Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.6 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.3 billion, Communist countries (1970-89), $399 million Currency: Colombian peso (plural - pesos); 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1 - 711.88 (January 1992), 633.08 (1991), 550.00 (1990), 435.00 (1989), 336.00 (1988), 242.61 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Colombia Communications:Colombia Communications Railroads: 3,386 km; 3,236 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track (2,611 km in use), 150 km 1. 435-meter gauge Highways: 75,450 km total; 9,350 km paved, 66,100 km earth and gravel surfaces Inland waterways: 14,300 km, navigable by river boats Pipelines: crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km; natural gas 830 km; natural gas liquids 125 km Ports: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Covenas, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco Merchant marine: 31 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 289,794 GRT/443,369 DWT; includes 9 cargo, 1 chemical tanker, 3 petroleum tanker, 8 bulk, 10 container; note - in addition, 2 naval tankers are sometimes used commercially Civil air: 83 major transport aircraft Airports: 1,167 total, 1,023 usable; 70 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 8 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 191 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: nationwide radio relay system; 1,890,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 413 AM, no FM, 33 TV, 28 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations and 11 domestic satellite earth stations :Colombia Defense Forces:Colombia Defense Forces Branches: Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, including Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia), National Police (Policia Nacional) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 9,214,691; 6,240,601 fit for military service; 353,691 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $624 million, 1.4% of GDP (1991) :Comoros Geography:Comoros Geography Total area: 2,170 km2 Land area: 2,170 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 340 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; cyclones possible during rainy season Note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel :Comoros People:Comoros People Population: 493,853 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992) Birth rate: 47 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 84 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 55 years male, 59 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Comoran(s); adjective - Comoran Ethnic divisions: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Religions: Sunni Muslim 86%, Roman Catholic 14% Languages: official languages are Arabic and French but majority of population speak Comoran, a blend of Swahili and Arabic Literacy: 48% (male 56%, female 40%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 140,000 (1982); agriculture 80%, government 3%; 51% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: NA :Comoros Government:Comoros Government Long-form name: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros Type: independent republic Capital: Moroni Administrative divisions: three islands; Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mwali, formerly Grand Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli respectively; note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Mutsamudu Independence: 31 December 1975 (from France) Constitution: 1 October 1978, amended October 1982 and January 1985 Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Federal Assembly (Assemblee Federale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Said Mohamed DJOHAR (since 11 March 1990); coordinator of National Unity Government (de facto prime minister) - Mohamed Taki ABDULKARIM (1 January 1992) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Federal Assembly: last held 22 March 1987 (next to be held March 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (42 total) Udzima 42 President: last held 11 March 1990 (next to be held March 1996); results - Said Mohamed DJOHAR (Udzima) 55%, Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim (UNDC) 45% Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, ILO, IMF, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Amini Ali MOUMIN; Chancery (temporary) at the Comoran Permanent Mission to the UN, 336 East 45th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 972-8010 US: Ambassador Kenneth N. PELTIER; Embassy at address NA, Moroni (mailing address B. P. 1318, Moroni); telephone 73-22-03, 73-29-22 Flag: green with a white crescent placed diagonally (closed side of the crescent points to the upper hoist-side corner of the flag); 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 (which is a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by the Comoros) :Comoros Economy: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 low 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 about 34% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production, and rice, the main staple, accounts for 90% of imports. During the period 1982-86 the industrial sector grew at an annual average rate of 5.3%, but its contribution to GDP was only 5% in 1988. Despite major investment in the tourist industry, which accounts for about 25% of GDP, growth has stagnated since 1983. A sluggish growth rate of 1.5% during 1985-90 has led to large budget deficits, declining incomes, and balance-of-payments difficulties. Preliminary estimates for 1991 show a moderate increase in the growth rate based on increased exports, tourism, and government investment outlays. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $260 million, per capita $540; real growth rate 2.7% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.0% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: over 16% (1988 est.) Budget: revenues $88 million; expenditures $92 million, including capital expenditures of $13 million (1990 est.) Exports: $16 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: vanilla, cloves, perfume oil, copra, ylang-ylang partners: US 53%, France 41%, Africa 4%, FRG 2% (1988) Imports: $41 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, cement, petroleum products, consumer goods partners: Europe 62% (France 22%), Africa 5%, Pakistan, China (1988) External debt: $196 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.4% (1988 est.); accounts for 5% of GDP Electricity: 16,000 kW capacity; 25 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: perfume distillation, textiles, furniture, jewelry, construction materials, soft drinks Agriculture: accounts for 34% of GDP; most of population works in subsistence agriculture and fishing; plantations produce cash crops for export - vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, and 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 :Comoros Economy:Comoros Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY80-89), $10 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $435 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $22 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $18 million Currency: Comoran franc (plural - francs); 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987); note - linked to the French franc at 50 to 1 French franc Fiscal year: calendar year :Comoros Communications:Comoros Communications Highways: 750 km total; about 210 km bituminous, remainder crushed stone or gravel Ports: Mutsamudu, Moroni Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 4 total, 4 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: sparse system of radio relay and high-frequency radio communication stations for interisland and external communications to Madagascar and Reunion; over 1,800 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, no TV :Comoros Defense Forces:Comoros Defense Forces Branches: Comoran Security Forces (FCS), Federal Gendarmerie (GFC) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 105,022; 62,808 fit for military service Defense expenditures: $NA, NA of GDP :Congo Geography:Congo Geography Total area: 342,000 km2 Land area: 341,500 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: 5,504 km; Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Gabon 1,903 km, Zaire 2,410 km Coastline: 169 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: long section with Zaire along the Congo River is indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has been made) Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, natural gas Land use: arable land 2%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 29%; forest and woodland 62%; other 7% Environment: deforestation; about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, or along the railroad between them :Congo People:Congo People Population: 2,376,687 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992) Birth rate: 42 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 109 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 53 years male, 56 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Congolese (singular and plural); adjective - Congolese or Congo Ethnic divisions: about 15 ethnic groups divided into some 75 tribes, almost all Bantu; most important ethnic groups are Kongo (48%) in the south, Sangha (20%) and M'Bochi (12%) in the north, Teke (17%) in the center; about 8,500 Europeans, mostly French Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2% Languages: French (official); many African languages with Lingala and Kikongo most widely used Literacy: 57% (male 70%, female 44%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 79,100 wage earners; agriculture 75%, commerce, industry, and government 25%; 51% of population of working age; 40% of population economically active (1985) Organized labor: 20% of labor force (1979 est.) :Congo Government:Congo Government Long-form name: Republic of the Congo Type: republic Capital: Brazzaville Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France; formerly Congo/Brazzaville) Constitution: 8 July 1979, currently being modified Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law National holiday: Congolese National Day, 15 August (1960) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: a transitional National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 8 February 1979); stripped of most powers by National Conference in May 1991 Head of Government: Prime Minister Andre MILONGO (since May 1991) Political parties and leaders: Congolese Labor Party (PCT), President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, leader; note - multiparty system legalized, with over 50 parties established Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Assembly: transitional body selected by National Conference in May 1991; election for new legislative body to be held spring 1992 President: last held 26-31 July 1989 (next to be held June 1992); results - President SASSOU-NGUESSO unanimously reelected leader of the PCT by the Party Congress, which automatically made him president Communists: small number of Communists and sympathizers Other political or pressure groups: Union of Congolese Socialist Youth (UJSC), Congolese Trade Union Congress (CSC), Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women (URFC), General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students (UGEEC) Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Roger ISSOMBO; Chancery at 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011; telephone (202) 726-5500 :Congo Government:Congo Government US: Ambassador James Daniel PHILLIPS; Embassy at Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville (mailing address is B. P. 1015, Brazzaville, or Box C, APO AE 09828); 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:Congo Economy Overview: Congo's economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, a beginning industrial sector based largely on oil, supporting 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. During the period 1987-91, however, growth has slowed to an average of roughly 1.5% annually, only half the population growth rate. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, per capita $1,070; real growth rate 0.5% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.6% (1989 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $522 million; expenditures $767 million, including capital expenditures of $141 million (1989) Exports: $751 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: crude petroleum 72%, lumber, plywood, coffee, cocoa, sugar, diamonds partners: US, France, other EC Imports: $564 million (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, intermediate manufactures, capital equipment partners: France, Italy, other EC, US, FRG, Spain, Japan, Brazil External debt: $4.5 billion (December 1988) Industrial production: growth rate 1.2% (1989); accounts for 33% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 140,000 kW capacity; 315 million kWh produced, 135 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: crude oil, cement, sawmills, brewery, sugar mill, palm oil, soap, cigarettes Agriculture: accounts for 10% 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: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $60 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.3 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $15 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $338 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes :Congo Economy:Congo Economy Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Congo Communications:Congo Communications Railroads: 797 km, 1.067-meter gauge, single track (includes 285 km that are privately owned) Highways: 11,960 km total; 560 km paved; 850 km gravel and laterite; 5,350 km improved earth; 5,200 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) Rivers provide 1,120 km of commercially navigable water transport; the rest are used for local traffic only Pipelines: crude oil 25 km Ports: Pointe-Noire (ocean port), Brazzaville (river port) Civil air: 4 major transport aircraft Airports: 46 total, 42 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 17 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: services adequate for government use; primary network is composed of radio relay routes and coaxial cables; key centers are Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; 18,100 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 1 FM, 4 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean satellite earth station :Congo Defense Forces:Congo Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including Naval Infantry), Air Force, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 526,058; 267,393 fit for military service; 23,884 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 4.6% of GDP (1987 est.) :Cook Islands Geography:Cook Islands Geography Total area: 240 km2 Land area: 240 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or minimum of 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: subject to typhoons from November to March Note: located 4,500 km south of Hawaii in the South Pacific Ocean :Cook Islands People:Cook Islands People Population: 17,977 (July 1992), growth rate 0.5% (1992) Birth rate: 22 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -10 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 25 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 73 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Cook Islander(s); adjective - Cook Islander Ethnic divisions: Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and other 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9% Religions: Christian, majority of populace members of Cook Islands Christian Church Languages: English (official); Maori Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 5,810; agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%, industry 15%, and other 4% (1981) Organized labor: NA :Cook Islands Government:Cook Islands Government Long-form name: none Type: self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands Capital: Avarua Administrative divisions: none Independence: became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action Constitution: 4 August 1965 National holiday: Constitution Day, 4 August Executive branch: British monarch, representative of the UK, representative of New Zealand, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament; note - the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Representative of the UK Sir Tangaroa TANGAROA (since NA); Representative of New Zealand Adrian SINCOCK (since NA) Head of Government: Prime Minister Geoffrey HENRY (since 1 February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since February 1989) Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY; Democratic Tumu Party, Vincent INGRAM; Democratic Party, Terepai MAOATE; Cook Islands Labor Party, Rena JONASSEN; Cook Islands People's Party, Sadaraka SADARAKA Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: Parliament: last held 19 January 1989 (next to be held by January 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (24 total) Cook Islands Party 12, Democratic Tumu Party 2, opposition coalition (including Democratic Party) 9, independent 1 Member of: AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, IOC, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO Diplomatic representation: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag :Cook Islands Economy: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. Current economic development plans call for exploiting the tourism potential and expanding the fishing industry. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $40.0 million, per capita $2,200 (1988 est.); real growth rate 5.3% (1986-88 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.0% (1988) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $33.8 million; expenditures $34.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Exports: $4.0 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: copra, fresh and canned fruit, clothing partners: NZ 80%, Japan Imports: $38.7 million (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber partners: NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, US External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 14,000 kW capacity; 21 million kWh produced, 1,170 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: fruit processing, tourism Agriculture: export crops - copra, citrus fruits, pineapples, tomatoes, bananas; subsistence crops - yams, taro Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $128 million Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural - dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.8502 (January 1992), 1.7266 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Cook Islands Communications:Cook Islands Communications Highways: 187 km total (1980); 35 km paved, 35 km gravel, 84 km improved earth, 33 km unimproved earth Ports: Avatiu Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 or over) totaling 1,464 GRT/2,181 DWT Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 6 total, 6 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, no TV; 10,000 radio receivers; 2,052 telephones; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Cook Islands Defense Forces:Cook Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand :Coral Sea Islands Geography:Coral Sea Islands Geography Total area: less than 3 km2 Land area: less than 3 km2; includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 1 million km2, with Willis Islets the most important Comparative area: undetermined Land boundaries: none Coastline: 3,095 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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, mostly grass or scrub cover 100%; Lihou Reef Reserve and Coringa-Herald Reserve were declared National Nature Reserves on 3 August 1982 Environment: subject to occasional tropical cyclones; no permanent fresh water; important nesting area for birds and turtles Note: the islands are located just off the northeast coast of Australia in the Coral Sea :Coral Sea Islands People:Coral Sea Islands People Population: 3 meteorologists (1992) :Coral Sea Islands Government:Coral Sea Islands Government Long-form name: Coral Sea Islands Territory Type: territory of Australia administered by the Minister for Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories Roslyn KELLY Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia Flag: the flag of Australia is used :Coral Sea Islands Economy:Coral Sea Islands Economy Overview: no economic activity :Coral Sea Islands Communications:Coral Sea Islands Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorages only :Coral Sea Islands Defense Forces: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 Geography:Costa Rica Geography Total area: 51,100 km2 Land area: 50,660 km2; includes Isla del Coco Comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: 639 km; Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km Coastline: 1,290 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: subject to occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season; active volcanoes; deforestation; soil erosion :Costa Rica People:Costa Rica People Population: 3,187,085 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 12 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Costa Rican(s); adjective - Costa Rican Ethnic divisions: white (including mestizo) 96%, black 2%, Indian 1%, Chinese 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon Literacy: 93% (male 93%, female 93%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 868,300; industry and commerce 35.1%, government and services 33%, agriculture 27%, other 4.9% (1985 est.) Organized labor: 15.1% of labor force :Costa Rica Government:Costa Rica Government Long-form name: Republic of Costa Rica Type: democratic republic Capital: San Jose Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Executive branch: president, two vice presidents, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Rafael Angel CALDERON Fournier (since 8 May 1990); First Vice President German SERRANO Pinto (since 8 May 1990); Second Vice President Arnoldo LOPEZ Echandi (since 8 May 1990) Political parties and leaders: National Liberation Party (PLN), Carlos Manuel CASTILLO Morales; Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), Rafael Angel CALDERON Fournier; Marxist Popular Vanguard Party (PVP), Humberto VARGAS Carbonell; New Republic Movement (MNR), Sergio Erick ARDON Ramirez; Progressive Party (PP), Isaac Felipe AZOFEIFA Bolanos; People's Party of Costa Rica (PPC), Lenin CHACON Vargas; Radical Democratic Party (PRD), Juan Jose ECHEVERRIA Brealey Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held 4 February 1990 (next to be held February 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (57 total) PUSC 29, PLN 25, PVP/PPC 1, regional parties 2 President: last held 4 February 1990 (next to be held February 1994); results - Rafael Angel CALDERON Fournier 51%, Carlos Manuel CASTILLO 47% Communists: 7,500 members and sympathizers Other political or pressure groups: Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers (CCTD; Liberation Party affiliate), Confederated Union of Workers (CUT; Communist Party affiliate), Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers (CATD; Communist Party affiliate), Chamber of Coffee Growers, National Association for Economic Development (ANFE), Free Costa Rica Movement (MCRL; rightwing militants), National Association of Educators (ANDE) :Costa Rica Government Member of: AG (observer), BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Gonzalo FACIO Segreda; Chancery at Suite 211, 1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 234-2945 through 2947; there are Costa Rican Consulates General at Albuquerque, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico), and a Consulate in Buffalo US: Ambassador Luis GUINOT, Jr.; Embassy at Pavas Road, San Jose (mailing address is APO AA 34020); telephone [506] 20-39-39 FAX (506) 20-2305 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:Costa Rica Economy Overview: In 1991 the economy grew at an estimated 2.5%, down somewhat from the 3.6% gain of 1990 and below the strong 5.5% gain of 1989. Increases in agricultural production (on the strength of good coffee and banana crops) and in construction have been offset by lower rates of growth for industry. In 1991 consumer prices rose by 27%, about the same as in 1990. The trade deficit of $270 million was substantially below the 1990 deficit of $677 million. Unemployment is officially reported at 4.6%, but much underemployment remains. External debt, on a per capita basis, is among the world's highest. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.9 billion, per capita $1,900; real growth rate 2.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 27% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.6% (1991) Budget: revenues $831 million; expenditures $1.08 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Exports: $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: coffee, bananas, textiles, sugar partners: US 75%, Germany, Guatemala, Netherlands, UK, Japan Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: petroleum, machinery, consumer durables, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs partners: US 40%, Japan, Guatemala, Germany External debt: $4.5 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 2.3% (1990 est.); accounts for 23% of GDP Electricity: 927,000 kW capacity; 3,408 million kWh produced, 1,095 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products Agriculture: accounts for 20-25% 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: illicit production of cannabis on small scattered plots; transshipment country for cocaine from South America Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.4 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $935 million; Communist countries (1971-89), $27 million Currency: Costa Rican colon (plural - colones); 1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1 - 136.35 (January 1992), 122.43 (1991), 91.58 (1990), 81.504 (1989), 75.805 (1988), 62.776 (1987) :Costa Rica Economy:Costa Rica Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Costa Rica Communications:Costa Rica Communications Railroads: 950 km total, all 1.067-meter gauge; 260 km electrified Highways: 15,400 km total; 7,030 km paved, 7,010 km gravel, 1,360 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: about 730 km, seasonally navigable Pipelines: petroleum products 176 km Ports: Puerto Limon, Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puntarenas Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,878 GRT/4,506 DWT Civil air: 11 major transport aircraft Airports: 164 total, 149 usable; 28 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: very good domestic telephone service; 292,000 telephones; connection into Central American Microwave System; broadcast stations - 71 AM, no FM, 18 TV, 13 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Costa Rica Defense Forces:Costa Rica Defense Forces Branches: Civil Guard, Rural Assistance Guard; note - Constitution prohibits armed forces Manpower availability: males 15-49, 829,576; 559,575 fit for military service; 31,828 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22 million, 0.5% of GDP (1989) :Croatia Geography:Croatia Geography Total area: 56,538 km2 Land area: 56,410 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: 1,843 km; Bosnia and Hercegovina (east) 751 km, Bosnia and Hercegovina (southeast) 91 km, Hungary 292 km, Serbia and Montenegro 254 km, Slovenia 455 km Coastline: 5,790 km; mainland 1,778 km, islands 4,012 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: 200-meter depth or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 12 nm Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Serbian enclaves in eastern Slavonia and along the western Bosnia and Hercegovinian border; dispute with Slovenia over fishing rights in Adriatic Climate: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast Terrain: geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coast, coastline, and islands Natural resources: oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, fruit, livestock Land use: 32% arable land; 20% permanent crops; 18% meadows and pastures; 15% forest and woodland; 9% other; includes 5% irrigated Environment: air pollution from metallurgical plants; damaged forest; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; subject to frequent and destructive earthquakes Note: controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits :Croatia People:Croatia People Population: 4,784,000 (July 1991), growth rate 0.39% (for the period 1981-91) Birth rate: 12.2 births/1,000 population (1991) Death rate: 11.3 deaths/1,000 population (1991) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1991) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 74 years female (1980-82) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1991) Nationality: noun - Croat(s); adjective - Croatian Ethnic divisions: Croat 78%, Serb 12%, Muslims 0.9%, Hungarian 0.5%, Slovenian 0.5%, others 7.8% Religions: Catholic 76.5%, Orthodox 11.1%, Slavic Muslim 1.2%, Protestant 1.4%, others and unknown 11% Languages: Serbo-Croatian 96% Literacy: 96.5% (male 98.6%, female 94.5%) age 10 and over can read and write (1991 census) Labor force: 1,509,489; industry and mining 37%, agriculture 4%, government NA%, other Organized labor: NA :Croatia Government:Croatia Government Long-form name: None Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Zagreb Administrative divisions: 102 districts (opcine, singular - opcina) Independence: June 1991 from Yugoslavia Constitution: promulgated on 22 December 1990 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial/no judicial review of legislative acts; does/does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: 30 May, Statehood Day (1990) Executive branch: president, prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Constitutional Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Franjo TUDJMAN (since April 1990), Vice President NA (since NA) Head of Government: Prime Minister Franjo GREGURIC (since August 1991), Deputy Prime Minister Mila RAMLJAK (since NA ) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Union, TUDJMAN; Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Stjepan Mesic; Croatian National Party, Savka DABCEVIC-KUCAR; Croatian Christian Democratic Party (HKDS), Ivan CESAR; Croatian Party of Rights, Dobroslav Paraga; Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Drazen BUDISA Suffrage: at age 16 if employed, universal at age 18 Elections: Parliament: last held May 1990 (next to be held NA); results - HDZ won 205 seats; seats - 349 (total) President: NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CSCE Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Dr. Franc Vinko GOLEM, Office of Republic of Croatia, 256 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 543-5586 US: Ambassador NA; Embassy at NA (mailing address is APO New York is 09862); telephone NA Flag: red, white, and blue with Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered) :Croatia Economy Overview: Before the political disintegration of Yugoslavia, the republic of Croatia stood next to Slovenia as the most prosperous and industrialized area, with a per capita output roughly comparable to that of Portugal and perhaps one-third above the Yugoslav average. Serbia and the Serb-dominated army of the old Yugoslavia, however, have seized Croatian territory, and the overriding determinant of Croatia's long-term economic prospects will be the final border settlement. Under the most favorable circumstances, Croatia will retain the Dalmatian coast with its major tourist attractions and Slavonia with its oilfields and rich agricultural land. Even so, Croatia would face monumental problems stemming from: the legacy of longtime Communist mismanagement of the economy; large foreign debt; damage during the fighting to bridges, factories, powerlines, buildings, and houses; and the disruption of economic ties to Serbia and the other former Yugoslav republics. At the minimum, extensive Western aid and investment, especially in the tourist and oil industries, would seem necessary to salvage a desperate economic situation. However, peace and political stability must come first. GDP: NA - $26.3 billion, per capita $5,600; real growth rate -25% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.3% (March 1992) Unemployment rate: 20% (December 1991) Budget: revenues $NA million; expenditures $NA million, including capital expenditures of $NA million Exports: $2.9 billion (1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment (30%), other manufacturers (37%), chemicals (11%), food and live animals (9%), raw materials (6.5%), fuels and lubricants (5%) partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics Imports: $4.4 billion (1990) 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%) partners: principally other former Yugoslav republics External debt: $2.6 billion (may assume some part of foreign debt of former Yugoslavia) Industrial production: declined as much as 11% in 1990 and probably another 29% in 1991 Electricity: 3,570,000 kW capacity; 8,830 million kWh produced, 1,855 kWh per capita 1991) 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 :Croatia Economy:Croatia Economy 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: NA Currency: Croatian dinar(s) Exchange rates: Croatian dinar per US $1 - 60.00 (April 1992) Fiscal year: calendar year :Croatia Communications:Croatia Communications Railroads: 2,698 km (34.5% electrified) Highways: 32,071 km total (1990); 23,305 km paved, 8,439 km gravel, 327 km earth Inland waterways: 785 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil 670 km, petroleum products 20 km, natural gas 310 km Ports: maritime - Rijeka, Split, Kardeljevo (Ploce); inland - Vukovar, Osijek, Sisak, Vinkovci Merchant marine: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 60,802 GRT/65,560 DWT; includes 1 cargo, 3 roll-on/roll-off, 5 passenger ferries, 2 bulk carriers; note - also controlled by Croatian shipowners are 196 ships (1,000 GRT or over) under flags of convenience - primarily Malta and St. Vincent - totaling 2,593,429 GRT/4,101,119 DWT; includes 91 general cargo, 7 roll-on/ roll-off, 6 refrigerated cargo, 13 container ships, 3 multifunction large load carriers, 52 bulk carriers, 3 passenger ships, 11 petroleum tankers, 4 chemical tankers, 6 service vessels Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: 8 total, NA usable; NA with permanent-surface runways; NA with runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; NA with runways 1,220-2,439 m; 1 with runways 900 m Telecommunications: 350,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 14 AM, 8 FM, 12 (2 repeaters) TV; 1,100,000 radios; 1,027,000 TVs; NA submarine coaxial cables; satellite ground stations - none :Croatia Defense Forces:Croatia Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Frontier Guard, Home Guard, Civil Defense Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,188,576; NA fit for military service; 42,664 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Cuba Geography:Cuba Geography Total area: 110,860 km2 Land area: 110,860 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: 29.1 km; US Naval Base at Guantanamo 29.1 km note: Guantanamo is leased and as such remains part of Cuba Coastline: 3,735 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: US Naval Base at Guantanamo is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October) Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast Natural resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica Land use: arable land 23%; permanent crops 6%; meadows and pastures 23%; forest and woodland 17%; other 31%; includes irrigated 10% Environment: averages one hurricane every other year Note: largest country in Caribbean; 145 km south of Florida :Cuba People:Cuba People Population: 10,846,821 (July 1992), growth rate 1.0% (1992) Birth rate: 17 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 11 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Cuban(s); adjective - Cuban Ethnic divisions: mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1% Religions: 85% nominally Roman Catholic before Castro assumed power Languages: Spanish Literacy: 94% (male 95%, female 93%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 3,578,800 in state sector; services and government 30%, industry 22%, agriculture 20%, commerce 11%, construction 10%, transportation and communications 7% (June 1990); economically active population 4,620,800 (1988) Organized labor: Workers Central Union of Cuba (CTC), only labor federation approved by government; 2,910,000 members; the CTC is an umbrella organization composed of 17 member unions :Cuba Government:Cuba Government Long-form name: Republic of Cuba Type: Communist state Capital: Havana Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara Independence: 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898); administered by the US from 1898 to 1902 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 National holiday: Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953) Executive branch: president of the Council of State, first vice president of the Council of State, Council of State, president of the Council of Ministers, first vice president of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly of the People's Power (Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular) Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo Popular) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (became Prime Minister in February 1959 and President since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976) Political parties and leaders: only party - Cuban Communist Party (PCC), Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary Suffrage: universal at age 16 Elections: National Assembly of the People's Power: last held December 1986 (next to be held before December 1992); results - PCC is the only party; seats - (510 total) indirectly elected Communists: about 600,000 full and candidate members Member of: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBEC, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: none; protecting power in the US is Switzerland - Cuban Interests Section; position vacant since March 1992; 2630 and 2639 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 797-8518 or 8519, 8520, 8609, 8610 :Cuba Government:Cuba Government US: protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland - US Interests Section, Swiss Embassy; Principal Officer Alan H. FLANIGAN; Calzada entre L Y M, Vedado Seccion, Havana (mailing address is USINT, Swiss Embassy, Havana, Calzada Entre L Y M, Vedado); telephone 32-0051, 32-0543 Flag: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white five-pointed star in the center :Cuba Economy:Cuba Economy Overview: The economy, centrally planned and largely state owned, is highly dependent on the agricultural sector and foreign trade. Sugar provided about two-thirds of export revenues in 1991, and over half was exported to the former Soviet republics. The economy has stagnated since 1985 under policies that have deemphasized material incentives in the workplace, abolished farmers' informal produce markets, and raised prices of government-supplied goods and services. In 1990 the economy probably fell 5% largely as a result of declining trade with the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Recently the government has been trying to increase trade with Latin America and China. Cuba has had difficulty servicing its foreign debt since 1982. The government currently is encouraging foreign investment in tourist facilities and in industrial plants idled by falling imports from the former Soviet Union. Other investment priorities include sugar, basic foods, and nickel. The annual Soviet subsidy dropped from $4 billion in 1990 to about $1 billion in 1991 because of a lower price paid for Cuban sugar and a sharp decline in Soviet exports to Cuba. The former Soviet republics have indicated they will no longer extend aid to Cuba beginning in 1992. Instead of highly subsidized trade, Cuba has been shifting to trade at market prices in convertible currencies. Because of increasingly severe shortages of fuels, industrial raw materials, and spare parts, aggregate output dropped by one-fifth in 1991. GNP: $17 billion, per capita $1,580; real growth rate -20% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Budget: revenues $12.46 billion; expenditures $14.45 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Exports: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: sugar, nickel, medical products, shellfish, citrus, tobacco, coffee partners: former USSR 63%, China 6%, Canada 4%, Japan 4% (1991 est.) Imports: $3.7 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: petroleum, capital goods, industrial raw materials, food partners: former USSR 47%, Spain 8%, China 6%, Argentina 5%, Italy 4%, Mexico 3% (1991 est.) External debt: $6.8 billion (convertible currency, July 1989) Industrial production: growth rate 0%; accounts for 45% of GDP (1989) Electricity: 3,889,000 kW capacity; 16,272 million kWh produced, 1,516 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: sugar milling, petroleum refining, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, paper and wood products, metals (particularly nickel), cement, fertilizers, consumer goods, agricultural machinery Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GNP (including fishing and forestry); key commercial crops - sugarcane, tobacco, and citrus fruits; other products - coffee, rice, potatoes, meat, beans; world's largest sugar exporter; not self-sufficient in food (excluding sugar) :Cuba Economy:Cuba Economy Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $710 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $18.5 billion Currency: Cuban peso (plural - pesos); 1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (linked to the US dollar) Fiscal year: calendar year :Cuba Communications:Cuba Communications Railroads: 12,947 km total; Cuban National Railways operates 5,053 km of 1.435-meter gauge track; 151.7 km electrified; 7,742 km of sugar plantation lines of 0.914-m and 1.435-m gauge Highways: 26,477 km total; 14,477 km paved, 12,000 km gravel and earth surfaced (1989 est.) Inland waterways: 240 km Ports: Cienfuegos, Havana, Mariel, Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba; 7 secondary, 35 minor Merchant marine: 77 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 537,464 GRT/755,824 DWT; includes 46 cargo, 10 refrigerated cargo, 1 cargo/training, 11 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 4 liquefied gas, 4 bulk; note - Cuba beneficially owns an additional 45 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 574,047 DWT under the registry of Panama, Cyprus, and Malta Civil air: 88 major transport aircraft Airports: 189 total, 167 usable; 73 with permanent-surface runways; 3 with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 18 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 150 AM, 5 FM, 58 TV; 1,530,000 TVs; 2,140,000 radios; 229,000 telephones; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Cuba Defense Forces:Cuba Defense Forces Branches: Revolutionary Armed Forces (including Ground Forces, Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force[DAAFR]), Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense Special Troops, Border Guard Troops, Territorial Militia Troops, Youth Labor Army, Civil Defense, National Revolutionary Police Manpower availability: eligible 15-49, 6,130,641; of the 3,076,276 males 15-49, 1,925,648 are fit for military service; of the 3,054,365 females 15-49, 1,907,281 are fit for military service; 97,973 males and 94,514 females reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.2-1.4 billion, 6% of GNP (1989 est.) :Cyprus Geography:Cyprus Geography Total area: 9,250 km2 Land area: 9,240 km2 Comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: none Coastline: 648 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: 1974 hostilities divided the island into two de facto autonomous areas - a Greek area controlled by the Cypriot Government (60% of the island's land area) and a Turkish-Cypriot area (35% of the island) that are separated by a narrow UN buffer zone; in addition, there are two UK sovereign base areas (about 5% of the island's land area) Climate: temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth pigment Land use: arable land 40%; permanent crops 7%; meadows and pastures 10%; forest and woodland 18%; other 25%; includes irrigated 10% (most irrigated lands are in the Turkish-Cypriot area of the island) Environment: moderate earthquake activity; water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal disparity in rainfall, and most potable resources concentrated in the Turkish-Cypriot area) :Cyprus People:Cyprus People Population: 716,492 (July 1992), growth rate 1.0% (1992) Birth rate: 18 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Cypriot(s); adjective - Cypriot Ethnic divisions: Greek 78%; Turkish 18%; other 4% Religions: Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian, Apostolic, and other 4% Languages: Greek, Turkish, English Literacy: 90% (male 96%, female 85%) age 10 and over can read and write (1976) Labor force: Greek area - 278,000; services 45%, industry 35%, agriculture 14%; Turkish area - 71,500 (1990); services 21%, industry 30%, agriculture 27% Organized labor: 156,000 (1985 est.) :Cyprus Government:Cyprus Government Long-form name: Republic of Cyprus Type: republic; a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified following the Turkish invasion of the island in July 1974, which gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot President Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which has been recognized only by Turkey; both sides publicly call for the resolution of intercommunal differences and creation of a new federal system of government Capital: Nicosia Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos Independence: 16 August 1960 (from UK) 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 in May 1985 Legal system: based on common law, with civil law modifications National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (15 November is celebrated as Independence Day in the Turkish area) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet); note - there is a president, prime minister, and Council of Ministers (cabinet) in the Turkish area Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon); note - there is a unicameral Assembly of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Meclisi) in the Turkish area Judicial branch: Supreme Court; note - there is also a Supreme Court in the Turkish area Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President George VASSILIOU (since February 1988); note - Rauf R. DENKTASH has been president of the Turkish area since 13 February 1975 Political parties and leaders: Greek Cypriot: Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL; Communist Party), Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS; Democratic Rally (DESY), Glafkos KLERIDES; Democratic Party (DEKO), Spyros KYPRIANOU; United Democratic Union of the Center (EDEK), Vassos LYSSARIDES; Socialist Democratic Renewal Movement (ADESOK), Mikhalis PAPAPETROU; Liberal Party, Nikos ROLANDIS :Cyprus Government:Cyprus Government Turkish area: National Unity Party (UBP), Dervis EROGLU; Communal Liberation Party (TKP), Mustafa AKINCI; Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ozker OZGUR; New Cyprus Party (YKP), Alpay DURDURAN; Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ergun VEHBI; New Birth Party (YDP), Ali Ozkan ALTINISHIK; Free Democratic Party (HDP), Ismet KOTAK; note - CTP, TKP, and YDP joined in the coalition Democratic Struggle Party (DMP) for the 22 April 1990 legislative election; the CTP and TKP boycotted the byelection of 13 October 1991, which was for 12 seats; the DMP was dissolved after the 1990 election; National Justice Party (MAP), Zorlu TORE; United Sovereignty Party, Arif Salih KIRDAG Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 14 February and 21 February 1988 (next to be held February 1993); results - George VASSILIOU 52%, Glafkos KLERIDES 48% House of Representatives: last held 19 May 1991; results - DESY 35.8%, AKEL (Communist) 30.6, DEKO 19.5%, EDEK 10. 9%; others 3.2% seats - (56 total) DESY 20, AKEL (Communist) 18, DEKO 11, EDEK 7 Turkish Area: President: last held 22 April 1990 (next to be held April 1995); results - Rauf R. DENKTASH 66%, Ismail BOZKURT 32.05% Turkish Area: Assembly of the Republic: last held 6 May 1990 (next to be held May 1995); results - UBP (conservative) 54.4%, DMP 44.4% YKP .9%; seats - (50 total) UBP (conservative) 45, SDP 1, HDP 2, YDP 2; note - by-election of 13 October 1991 was for 12 seats Communists: about 12,000 Other political or pressure groups: United Democratic Youth Organization (EDON; Communist controlled); Union of Cyprus Farmers (EKA; Communist controlled); Cyprus Farmers Union (PEK; pro-West); Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation (PEO; Communist controlled) ; Confederation of Cypriot Workers (SEK; pro-West); Federation of Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions (Turk-Sen); Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions (Dev-Is) Member of: C, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; note - the Turkish-Cypriot administered area of Cyprus has observer status in the OIC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Michael E. SHERIFIS; Chancery at 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 462-5772 US: Ambassador Robert E. LAMB; Embassy at the corner of Therissos Street and Dositheos Street, Nicosia (mailing address is APO AE 09836); telephone [357] (2) 465151; FAX [357] (2) 459-571 Flag: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities; note - the Turkish cypriot flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom with a red crescent and red star on a white field :Cyprus Economy:Cyprus Economy Overview: The Greek Cypriot economy is small, diversified, and prosperous. Industry contributes 24% to GDP and employs 35% of the labor force, while the service sector contributes 44% to GDP and employs 45% of the labor force. Rapid growth in exports of agricultural and manufactured products and in tourism have played important roles in the average 6.4% rise in GDP between 1985 and 1990. In mid-1991, the World Bank "graduated" Cyprus off its list of developing countries. In contrast to the bright picture in the south, the Turkish Cypriot economy has less than half the per capita GDP and suffered a series of reverses in 1991. Crippled by the effects of the Gulf war, the collapse of the fruit-to-electronics conglomerate, Polly Peck, Ltd., and a drought, the Turkish area in late 1991 asked for a multibillion-dollar grant from Turkey to help ease the burden of the economic crisis. Turkey normally underwrites a substantial portion of the TRNC economy. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - Greek area: $5.5 billion, per capita $9,600; real growth rate 6.0%; Turkish area: $600 million, per capita $4,000; real growth rate 5.9% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): Greek area: 4.5%; Turkish area: 69.4% (1990) Unemployment rate: Greek area: 1.8%; Turkish area: 1.2% (1990) Budget: revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $2.0 billion, including capital expenditures of $250 million (1991) Exports: $847 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: citrus, potatoes, grapes, wine, cement, clothing and shoes partners: UK 23%, Greece 10%, Lebanon 10%, Germany 5% Imports: $2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants, food and feed grains, machinery partners: UK 13%, Japan 12%, Italy 10%, Germany 9.1% External debt: $2.8 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 5.6% (1990); accounts for 24% of GDP Electricity: 620,000 kW capacity; 1,770 million kWh produced, 2,530 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, wood products Agriculture: accounts for 7% of GDP and employs 14% of labor force in the south; major crops - potatoes, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, and citrus fruits; vegetables and fruit provide 25% of export revenues Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $292 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $250 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $62 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $24 million Currency: Cypriot pound (plural - pounds) and in Turkish area, Turkish lira (plural - liras); 1 Cypriot pound (#C) = 100 cents and 1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 kurus :Cyprus Economy:Cyprus Economy Exchange rates: Cypriot pounds (#C) per US$1 - 0.4683 (March 1992), 0.4615 (1991), 0.4572 (1990), 0.4933 (1989), 0.4663 (1988), 0.4807 (1987); in Turkish area, Turkish liras (TL) per US$1 - 6,098.4 (March 1992), 4,173.9 (1991), 2,608.6 (1990), 2,121.7 (1989), 1,422.3 (1988), 857.2 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Cyprus Communications:Cyprus Communications Highways: 10,780 km total; 5,170 km paved; 5,610 km gravel, crushed stone, and earth Ports: Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos Merchant marine: 1,228 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,053,213 GRT/35,647,964 DWT; includes 8 short-sea passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 440 cargo, 83 refrigerated cargo, 22 roll-on/roll-off, 52 container, 5 multifunction large load carrier, 107 petroleum tanker, 3 specialized tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 20 chemical tanker, 32 combination ore/oil, 394 bulk, 3 vehicle carrier, 49 combination bulk, 2 railcar carrier, 2 passenger, 1 passenger cargo; note - a flag of convenience registry; Cuba owns at least 30 of these ships, republics of the former USSR own 58, Latvia also has 5 ships, Yugoslavia owns 1, and Romania 3 Civil air: 11 major transport aircraft (Greek Cypriots); 2 (Turkish Cypriots) Airports: 14 total, 14 usable; 12 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent in both the area controlled by the Cypriot Government (Greek area), and in the Turkish-Cypriot administered area; 210,000 telephones; largely open-wire and radio relay; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 8 FM, 1 (34 repeaters) TV in Greek sector and 2 AM, 6 FM and 1 TV in Turkish sector; international service by tropospheric scatter, 3 submarine cables, and satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and EUTELSAT earth stations :Cyprus Defense Forces:Cyprus Defense Forces Branches: Greek area - Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; including air and naval elements), Greek Cypriot Police; Turkish area - Turkish Cypriot Security Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 183,899; 126,664 fit for military service; 5,030 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $209 million, 5% of GDP (1990 est.) :Czechoslovakia Geography:Czechoslovakia Geography Total area: 127,870 km2 Land area: 125,460 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than New York State Land boundaries: 3,438 km; Austria 548 km, Germany 815 km, Hungary 676 km, Poland 1,309 km, Ukraine 90 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: Gabcikovo Nagymaros Dam dispute with Hungary Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Terrain: mixture of hills and mountains separated by plains and basins Natural resources: hard coal, timber, lignite, uranium, magnesite, iron ore, copper, zinc Land use: arable land 37%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 13%; forest and woodland 36%; other 13%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: infrequent earthquakes; acid rain; water pollution; air pollution 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 :Czechoslovakia People:Czechoslovakia People Population: 15,725,680 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 11 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Czechoslovak(s); adjective - Czechoslovak Ethnic divisions: Czech 62.9%, Slovak 31.8%, Hungarian 3.8%, Polish 0.5%, German 0.3%, Ukrainian 0.3%, Russian 0.1%, other 0.3% Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Orthodox 2%, other 28% Languages: Czech and Slovak (official), Hungarian Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.) Labor force: 8,200,000 (1987); industry 36.9%, agriculture 12.3%, construction, communications, and other 50.8% (1982) Organized labor: Czech and Slovak Confederation of Trade Unions (CSKOS); several new independent trade unions established :Czechoslovakia Government:Czechoslovakia Government Long-form name: Czech and Slovak Federal Republic Type: federal republic in transition Capital: Prague Administrative divisions: 2 republics (republiky, singular - republika); Czech Republic (Ceska Republika), Slovak Republic (Slovenska Republika); note - 11 regions (kraj, singular); Severocesky, Zapadocesky, Jihocesky, Vychodocesky, Praha, Severomoravsky, Jihomoravsky, Bratislava, Zapadoslovensky, Stredoslovensky, Vychodoslovensky Independence: 28 October 1918 (from Austro-Hungarian Empire) Constitution: 11 July 1960; amended in 1968 and 1970; new Czech, Slovak, and federal constitutions to be drafted in 1992 Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes, modified by Communist legal theory; constitutional court currently being established; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code in process of modification to bring it in line with Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory National holiday: National Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) and Founding of the Republic, 28 October (1918) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly (Federalni Shromazdeni) consists of an upper house or Chamber of Nations (Snemovna Narodu) and a lower house or Chamber of the People (Snemovna Lidu) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Vaclav HAVEL; (interim president from 29 December 1989 and president since 5 July 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister Marian CALFA (since 10 December 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Vaclav KLAUS (since 3 October 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Jiri DIENSTBIER (since 28 June 1990); Deputy Prime Minister Jozef MIKLOSKO (since 28 June 1990); Deputy Prime Minister Pavel RYCHETSKY (since 28 June 1990); Deputy Prime Minister Pavel HOFFMAN (since 3 October 1991); note - generally, "prime minister" is used at the federal level, "premier" at the republic level; Czech Premier - Petr PITHART; Slovak Premier - Jan CARNOGVRSKY :Czechoslovakia Government:Czechoslovakia Government Political parties and leaders: note - there are very few federation-wide parties; party affiliation is indicted as Czech (C) or Slovak (S); Civic Democratic Party, Vaclav KLAUS, chairman, (C/S); Civic Movement, Jiri DIENSTBIER, chairman, (C); Civic Democratic Alliance, Jan KALVODA, chairman; Christian Democratic Union Public Against Violence, Martin PORUBJAK, chairman, (S); Christian Democratic Party, Vaclav BENDA, (C); Christian Democratic Movement, Jan CARNOGURSKY,(S); Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia, Juri SVOBODA, chairman; Movement for a Democratic Slovakia, Vladimir MECIAR, chairman - removed from power in November 1989 by massive antiregime demonstrations; Czechoslovak Social Democracy, Jiri HORAK, chairman, (C); Czechoslovak Socialist Party, Ladislav DVORAK, chairman, (C)(S); Movement for Self-Governing Democracy Society for Moravia and Silesia, Jan KRYCER, chairman, (C); Party of the Democratic Left, Peter WEISS, chairman (Slovakia's renamed Communists) (S); Slovak National Party, Jozef PROKES, chairman, (S); Democratic Party, Jan HOLCIK, chairman, (S); Coexistence, (C)(S) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Federal Assembly: last held 8-9 June 1990 (next to be held 5-6 June 1992); results - Civic Forum/Public Against Violence coalition 46%, KSC 13.6%; seats - (300 total) Civic Forum/Public Against Violence coalition 170, KSC 47, Christian and Democratic Union/Christian Democratic Movement 40, Czech, Slovak, Moravian, and Hungarian groups 43 President: last held 5 July 1990 (next to be held 3 July 1992); results - Vaclav HAVEL elected by the Federal Assembly Communists: 760,000 party members (September 1990); about 1,000,000 members lost since November 1989 Other political or pressure groups: Czechoslovak Socialist Party, Czechoslovak People's Party, Czechoslovak Social Democracy, Slovak Nationalist Party, Slovak Revival Party, Christian Democratic Party; over 80 registered political groups fielded candidates in the 8-9 June 1990 legislative election Member of: BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EC (associate) ECE, FAO, GATT, HG, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IFCTU, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NSG, PCA, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Rita KLIMOVA; Chancery at 3900 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 363-6315 or 6316 US: Ambassador Shirley Temple BLACK; Embassy at Trziste 15, 125 48, Prague 1 (mailing address is Unit 25402; APO AE 09213-5630); telephone [42] (2) 536-641/6; FAX [42] (2) 532-457 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side :Czechoslovakia Economy:Czechoslovakia Economy Overview: Czechoslovakia is highly industrialized by East European standards and has a well-educated and skilled labor force. GDP per capita has been the highest in Eastern Europe. Annual GDP growth slowed to less than 1 percent during the 1985-90 period. The country is deficient in energy and in many raw materials. Moreover, its aging capital plant lags well behind West European standards. In January 1991, Prague launched a sweeping program to convert its almost entirely state-owned and controlled economy to a market system. The koruna now enjoys almost full internal convertibility and over 90% of prices are set by the market. The government is planning to privatize all small businesses and roughly two-thirds of large enterprises by the end of 1993. New private-sector activity is also expanding. Agriculture - 95% socialized - is to be privatized by the end of 1992. Reform has taken its toll on the economy: inflation was roughly 50% in 1991, unemployment was nearly 70%, and GDP dropped an estimated 15%. In 1992 the government is anticipating inflation of 10-15%, unemployment of 11-12%, and a drop in GDP of up to 8%. As of mid-1992, the nation appears to be splitting in two - into the industrial Czech area and the more agarian Slovak area. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $108.9 billion, per capita $6,900; real growth rate -15% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 52% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: officially 6.7% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $4.5 billion; expenditures $4.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $200 million (1992) Exports: $12.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and equipment 39.2%; fuels, minerals, and metals 8.1%; agricultural and forestry products 6.2%, other 46.5% partners: USSR, Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Italy, France, US, UK Imports: $13.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and equipment 37.3%; fuels, minerals, and metals 22.6%; agricultural and forestry products 7.0%; other 33.1% partners: USSR, Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Hungary, Yugoslavia, UK, Italy External debt: $9.1 billion, hard currency indebtedness (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate -22% (1991 est.); accounts for almost 60% of GNP Electricity: 23,000,000 kW capacity; 90,000 million kWh produced, 5,740 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: iron and steel, machinery and equipment, cement, sheet glass, motor vehicles, armaments, chemicals, ceramics, wood, paper products, footwear Agriculture: accounts for 9% of GDP (includes forestry); 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 :Czechoslovakia Economy:Czechoslovakia Economy Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and emerging as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine E Economic aid: donor - $4.2 billion in bilateral aid to non-Communist less developed countries (1954-89) Currency: koruna (plural - koruny); 1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleru Exchange rates: koruny (Kcs) per US$1 - 28.36 (January 1992), 29.53 (1991), 17.95 (1990), 15.05 (1989), 14.36 (1988), 13.69 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Czechoslovakia Communications:Czechoslovakia Communications Railroads: 13,103 km total; 12,855 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 102 km 1.520-meter broad gauge, 146 km 0.750- and 0.760-meter narrow gauge; 2,861 km double track; 3,798 km electrified; government owned (1988) Highways: 73,540 km total; including 517 km superhighway (1988) Inland waterways: 475 km (1988); the Elbe (Labe) is the principal river Pipelines: crude oil 1,448 km; petroleum products 1,500 km; natural gas 8,100 km Ports: maritime outlets are in Poland (Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin), Croatia (Rijeka), Slovenia (Koper), Germany (Hamburg, Rostock); principal river ports are Prague on the Vltava, Decin on the Elbe (Labe), Komarno on the Danube, Bratislava on the Danube Merchant marine: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 290,185 GRT/437,291 DWT; includes 13 cargo, 9 bulk Civil air: 47 major transport aircraft Airports: 158 total, 158 usable; 40 with permanent-surface runways; 19 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 37 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: inadequate circuit capacity; 4 million telephones; Radrel backbone of network; 25% of households have a telephone; broadcast stations - 32 AM, 15 FM, 41 TV (11 Soviet TV repeaters); 4.4 million TVs (1990); 1 satellite earth station using INTELSAT and Intersputnik :Czechoslovakia Defense Forces:Czechoslovakia Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Border Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 4,110,628; 3,142,457 fit for military service; 142,239 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - 28 billion koruny, NA% of GNP (1991); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate would produce misleading results :Denmark Geography:Denmark Geography Total area: 43,070 km2 Land area: 42,370 km2; includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark, but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Massachusetts Land boundaries: 68 km; Germany 68 km Coastline: 3,379 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 4 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm Disputes: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Iceland, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims between Greenland and Jan Mayen Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone Land use: arable land 61%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest and woodland 12%; other 21%; includes irrigated 9% Environment: air and water pollution Note: controls Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas :Denmark People:Denmark People Population: 5,163,955 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Dane(s); adjective - Danish Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian, Eskimo, Faroese, German Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 91%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 2%, other 7% (1988) Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Eskimo dialect); small German-speaking minority Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 2,581,400; private services 36.4%; government services 30.2%; manufacturing and mining 20%; construction 6.8%; agriculture, forestry, and fishing 5.9%; electricity/gas/water 0.7% (1990) Organized labor: 65% of labor force :Denmark Government:Denmark Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Denmark 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: became a constitutional monarchy in 1849 Constitution: 5 June 1953 Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Executive branch: monarch, heir apparent, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral parliament (Folketing) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen MARGRETHE II (since January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the Queen (born 26 May 1968) Head of Government: Prime Minister Poul SCHLUTER (since 10 September 1982) Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, Paul Nyrup RASMUSSEN; Conservative Party, Poul SCHLUTER; Liberal Party, Uffe ELLEMANN-JENSEN; Socialist People's Party, Holger K. NIELSEN; Progress Party, Pia KJAERSGAARD; Center Democratic Party, Mimi Stilling JAKOBSEN; Radical Liberal Party, Marianne JELVED; Christian People's Party, Jam SJURSEN; Left Socialist Party, Elizabeth BRUN-OLESEN; Justice Party, Poul Gerhard KRISTIANSEN; Socialist Workers Party, leader NA; Communist Workers' Party (KAP), leader NA; Common Course, Preben Meller HANSEN; Green Party, Inger BORLEHMANN Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: Parliament: last held 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994); results - Social Democratic Party 37.4%, Conservative Party 16.0%, Liberal 15.8%, Socialist People's Party 8.3%, Progress Party 6.4%, Center Democratic Party 5.1%, Radical Liberal Party 3.5%, Christian People's Party 2.3%, other 5.2%; seats - (179 total; includes 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands) Social Democratic 69, Conservative 30, Liberal 29, Socialist People's 15, Progress Party 12, Center Democratic 9, Radical Liberal 7, Christian People's 4 :Denmark Government:Denmark Government Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-9, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WM, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Peter Pedersen DYVIG; Chancery at 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-4300; there are Danish Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York US: Ambassador Richard B. STONE; Embassy at Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen O (mailing address is APO AE 09716); telephone [45] (31) 42-31-44; FAX [45] (35) 43-0223 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 (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden :Denmark Economy:Denmark Economy Overview: This 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 probably will continue its successful economic recovery in 1992 with tight fiscal and monetary policies and export- oriented growth. Prime Minister Schluter's main priorities are to maintain a current account surplus in order to pay off extensive external debt and to continue to freeze public-sector expenditures in order to reduce the budget deficit. The rate of growth by 1993 - boosted by increased investment and domestic demand - may be sufficient to start to cut Denmark's high unemployment rate, which is expected to remain at about 11% in 1992. Low inflation, low wage increases, and the current account surplus put Denmark in a good competitive position for the EC's anticipated single market, although Denmark must cut its VAT and income taxes. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $91.1 billion, per capita $17,700; real growth rate 2.0% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (1991) Unemployment rate: 10.6% (1991) Budget: revenues $44.1 billion; expenditures $50 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA billion (1991 est.) Exports: $37.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: meat and meat products, dairy products, transport equipment (shipbuilding), fish, chemicals, industrial machinery partners: EC 54.2% (Germany 22.5%, UK 10.3%, France 5.9%), Sweden 11.5%, Norway 5.8%, US 5.0%, Japan 3.6% (1991) Imports: $31.6 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: petroleum, machinery and equipment, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, textiles, paper partners: EC 52.8% (Germany 22.5%, UK 8.1%), Sweden 10.8%, US 6.3% (1991) External debt: $45 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1991 est.) Electricity: 11,215,000 kW capacity; 31,000 million kWh produced, 6,030 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture, and other wood products Agriculture: accounts for 4.5% of GDP and employs 6% of labor force (includes fishing and forestry); farm products account for nearly 15% of export revenues; principal products - meat, dairy, grain, potatoes, rape, sugar beets, fish; self-sufficient in food production Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89) $5.9 billion Currency: Danish krone (plural - kroner); 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 re :Denmark Economy:Denmark Economy Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.116 (January 1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988), 6.840 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Denmark Communications:Denmark Communications Railroads: 2,675 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; Danish State Railways (DSB) operate 2,120 km (1,999 km rail line and 121 km rail ferry services); 188 km electrified, 730 km double tracked; 650 km of standard- gauge lines are privately owned and operated Highways: 66,482 km total; 64,551 km concrete, bitumen, or stone block; 1,931 km gravel, crushed stone, improved earth Inland waterways: 417 km Pipelines: crude oil 110 km; petroleum products 578 km; natural gas 700 km Ports: Alborg, Arhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia; numerous secondary and minor ports Merchant marine: 317 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,367,063 GRT/7,921,891 DWT; includes 13 short-sea passenger, 94 cargo, 21 refrigerated cargo, 38 container, 39 roll-on/roll-off, 1 railcar carrier, 42 petroleum tanker, 14 chemical tanker, 33 liquefied gas, 4 livestock carrier, 17 bulk, 1 combination bulk; note - Denmark has created its own internal register, called the Danish International Ship register (DIS); DIS ships do not have to meet Danish manning regulations, and they amount to a flag of convenience within the Danish register; by the end of 1990, 258 of the Danish-flag ships belonged to the DIS Civil air: 69 major transport aircraft Airports: 121 total, 108 usable; 27 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 9 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 6 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent telephone, telegraph, and broadcast services; 4,509,000 telephones; buried and submarine cables and radio relay support trunk network; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 50 TV; 19 submarine coaxial cables; 7 earth stations operating in INTELSAT, EUTELSAT, and INMARSAT :Denmark Defense Forces:Denmark Defense Forces Branches: Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force, Home Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,372,878; 1,181,857 fit for military service; 38,221 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion, 2% of GDP (1991) :Djibouti Geography:Djibouti Geography Total area: 22,000 km2 Land area: 21,980 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Massachusetts Land boundaries: 517 km; Ethiopia 459 km, Somalia 58 km Coastline: 314 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnic Somalis 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 NEGL%; other 91% Environment: vast wasteland Note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia :Djibouti People:Djibouti People Population: 390,906 (July 1992), growth rate 2.7% (1992) Birth rate: 43 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 115 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 47 years male, 50 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Djiboutian(s); adjective - Djiboutian Ethnic divisions: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5% Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6% Languages: French and Arabic (both official); Somali and Afar widely used Literacy: 48% (male 63%, female 34%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: NA, but a small number of semiskilled laborers at the port and 3,000 railway workers; 52% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: 3,000 railway workers, General Union of Djiboutian Workers (UGTD), government affiliated; some smaller unions :Djibouti Government:Djibouti Government Long-form name: Republic of Djibouti Type: republic Capital: Djibouti Administrative divisions: 5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); `Ali Sabih, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France; formerly French Territory of the Afars and Issas) Constitution: partial constitution ratified January 1981 by the National Assembly Legal system: based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President Hassan GOULED Aptidon (since 24 June 1977) Head of Government: Prime Minister BARKAT Gourad Hamadou (since 30 September 1978) Political parties and leaders: only party - People's Progress Assembly (RPP), Hassan GOULED Aptidon Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: National Assembly: last held 24 April 1987 (next scheduled for May 1992 but post- poned); results - RPP is the only party; seats - (65 total) RPP 65 President: last held 24 April 1987 (next to be held April 1993); results - President Hassan GOULED Aptidon was reelected without opposition Other political or pressure groups: Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy and affiliates Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UNCTAD, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE; Chancery at Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005; telephone (202) 331-0270 US: Ambassador Charles R. BAQUET III; Embassy at Villa Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti (mailing address is 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: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. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of over 30% continues to be a major problem. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last five years because of recession and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). GDP: exchange rate conversion - $340 million, $1,000 per capita; real growth rate -1.0% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1989) Unemployment rate: over 30% (1989) Budget: revenues $131 million; expenditures $154 million, including capital expenditures of $25 million (1990 est.) Exports: $190 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: hides and skins, coffee (in transit) partners: Middle East 50%, Africa 43%, Western Europe 7% Imports: $311 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products partners: EC 36%, Africa 21%, Asia 12%, US 2% External debt: $355 million (December 1990) Industrial production: growth rate 0.1% (1989); manufacturing accounts for 4% of GDP Electricity: 115,000 kW capacity; 200 million kWh produced, 580 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as dairy products and mineral-water bottling Agriculture: accounts for only 5% of GDP; scanty rainfall limits crop production to mostly fruit and vegetables; half of population pastoral nomads herding goats, sheep, and camels; imports bulk of food needs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $39 million; Western (non-US) countries, including ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $149 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $35 million Currency: Djiboutian franc (plural - francs); 1 Djiboutian franc (DF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1 - 177.721 (fixed rate since 1973) Fiscal year: calendar year :Djibouti Communications:Djibouti Communications Railroads: the Ethiopian-Djibouti railroad extends for 97 km through Djibouti Highways: 2,900 km total; 280 km paved; 2,620 km improved or unimproved earth (1982) Ports: Djibouti Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 13 total, 11 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system of urban facilities in Djibouti and radio relay stations at outlying places; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station and 1 ARABSAT; 1 submarine cable to Saudi Arabia :Djibouti Defense Forces:Djibouti Defense Forces Branches: Djibouti National Army (including Navy and Air Force), National Security Force (Force Nationale de Securite), National Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 96,150; 56,077 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $29.9 million, NA% of GDP (1986) :Dominica Geography:Dominica Geography Total area: 750 km2 Land area: 750 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 148 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: flash floods a constant hazard; occasional hurricanes Note: located 550 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea :Dominica People:Dominica People Population: 87,035 (July 1992), growth rate 1.6% (1992) Birth rate: 24 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 11 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Dominican(s); adjective - Dominican Ethnic divisions: mostly black; some Carib Indians Religions: Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), none 2%, unknown 1%, other 5% Languages: English (official); French patois widely spoken Literacy: 94% (male 94%, female 94%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 25,000; agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28% (1984) Organized labor: 25% of labor force :Dominica Government:Dominica Government Long-form name: Commonwealth of Dominica Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Roseau Administrative divisions: 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter Independence: 3 November 1978 (from UK) Constitution: 3 November 1978 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1978) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Sir Clarence Augustus SEIGNORET (since 19 December 1983) Head of Government: Prime Minister (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES (since 21 July 1980, elected for a third term 28 May 1990) Political parties and leaders: Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES; Dominica Labor Party (DLP), Pierre CHARLES; United Workers Party (UWP), Edison JAMES Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Assembly: last held 28 May 1990 (next to be held May 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total; 9 appointed senators and 21 elected representatives) DFP 11, UWP 6, DLP 4 President: last held 20 December 1988 (next to be held December 1993); results - President Sir Clarence Augustus SEIGNORET was reelected by the House of Assembly Other political or pressure groups: Dominica Liberation Movement (DLM), a small leftist group Member of: ACCT, ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: there is no Chancery in the US US: no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica :Dominica Government:Dominica Government 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: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. In 1990, GDP grew by 7%, bouncing back from the 1.6% decline of 1989. The tourist industry remains undeveloped because of a rugged coastline and the lack of an international airport. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $170 million, per capita $2,000; real growth rate 7.0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.7% (1990) Unemployment rate: 10% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $48 million; expenditures $85 million, including capital expenditures of $41 million (FY90) Exports: $59.9 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: bananas, coconuts, grapefruit, soap, galvanized sheets partners: UK 72%, Jamaica 10%, OECS 6%, US 3%, other 9% Imports: $103.9 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: food, oils and fats, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment partners: US 23%, UK 18%, CARICOM 15%, OECS 15%, Japan 5%, Canada 3%, other 21% External debt: $73 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.5% in manufacturing (1988 est.); accounts for 11% of GDP Electricity: 7,000 kW capacity; 16 million kWh produced, 185 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: soap, beverages, tourism, food processing, furniture, cement blocks, shoes Agriculture: accounts for 30% of GDP; principal crops - bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, and coconuts; bananas provide the bulk of export earnings; forestry and fisheries potential not exploited Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $120 million Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Dominica Communications:Dominica Communications Highways: 750 km total; 370 km paved, 380 km gravel and earth Ports: Roseau, Portsmouth Civil air: NA Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 4,600 telephones in fully automatic network; VHF and UHF link to Saint Lucia; new SHF links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 cable TV :Dominica Defense Forces:Dominica Defense Forces Branches: Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (including Coast Guard) Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Dominican Republic Geography:Dominican Republic Geography Total area: 48,730 km2 Land area: 48,380 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire Land boundaries: 275 km; Haiti 275 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: outer edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 6 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver Land use: arable land 23%; permanent crops 7%; meadows and pastures 43%; forest and woodland 13%; other 14%; includes irrigated 4% Environment: subject to occasional hurricanes (July to October); deforestation Note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic) :Dominican Republic People:Dominican Republic People Population: 7,515,892 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992) Birth rate: 26 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 56 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 70 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Dominican(s); adjective - Dominican Ethnic divisions: mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: 83% (male 85%, female 82%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,300,000 to 2,600,000; agriculture 49%, services 33%, industry 18% (1986) Organized labor: 12% of labor force (1989 est.) :Dominican Republic Government:Dominican Republic Government Long-form name: Dominican Republic (no short-form name) Type: republic Capital: Santo Domingo Administrative divisions: 29 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro De Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) Constitution: 28 November 1966 Legal system: based on French civil codes National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo (since 16 August 1986, fifth elected term began 16 August 1990); Vice President Carlos A. MORALES Troncoso (since 16 August 1986) Political parties and leaders: Major parties: Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo; Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), Jose Franciso PENA Gomez; Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Juan BOSCH Gavino; Independent Revolutionary Party (PRI), Jacobo MAJLUTA Minor parties: National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), Juan Rene BEAUCHAMPS Javier; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic (PLRD), Andres Van Der HORST; Democratic Quisqueyan Party (PQD), Elias WESSIN Chavez; National Progressive Force (FNP), Marino VINICIO Castillo; Popular Christian Party (PPC), Rogelio DELGADO Bogaert; Dominican Communist Party (PCD) Narciso ISA Conde; Dominican Workers' Party (PTD), Ivan RODRIGUEZ; Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union (UPA), Ignacio RODRIGUEZ Chiappini Note: in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined to form the Dominican Leftist Front (FID); however, they still retain individual party structures Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 or if married; members of the armed forces and police cannot vote :Dominican Republic Government:Dominican Republic Government Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) PLD 44, PRSC 41, PRD 33, PRI 2 President: last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 35.7%, Juan BOSCH Gavino (PLD) 34.4% Senate: last held 16 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total) PRSC 16, PLD 12, PRD 2 Communists: an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 members in several legal and illegal factions; effectiveness limited by ideological differences, organizational inadequacies, and severe funding shortages Member of: ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jose del Carmen ARIZA Gomez; Chancery at 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-6280; there are Dominican Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Consulates in Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, Mobile, Ponce (Puerto Rico), and San Francisco US: Ambassador Robert S. PASTORINO; Embassy at the corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo (mailing address is APO AA 34041-0008); telephone (809) 5412171 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:Dominican Republic Economy Overview: The economy is largely dependent on trade; imported components average 60% of the value of goods consumed in the domestic market. Rapid growth of free trade zones has established a significant expansion of manufacturing for export, especially wearing apparel. Over the past decade, tourism has also increased in importance and is a major earner of foreign exchange and a source of new jobs. Agriculture remains a key sector of the economy. The principal commercial crop is sugarcane, followed by coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco. Domestic industry is based on the processing of agricultural products, durable consumer goods, minerals, and chemicals. Unemployment is officially reported at about 30%, but there is considerable underemployment. A fiscal austerity program has brought inflation under control, but in 1991 the economy contracted for a second straight year. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $7 billion, per capita $950; real growth rate -2% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues NA; expenditures $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (1992 est.) Exports: $775 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: sugar, coffee, cocoa, gold, ferronickel partners: US 60%, EC 19%, Puerto Rico 8% (1990) Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals partners: US 50% External debt: $4.7 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA; accounts for 20% of GDP Electricity: 2,133,000 kW capacity; 4,410 million kWh produced, 597 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP and employs 49% of labor force; sugarcane is the most important commercial crop, followed by 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 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-89), $575 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $655 million Currency: Dominican peso (plural - pesos); 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 12.609 (January 1992), 12.692 (1991), 8.525 (1990), 6.340 (1989), 6.113 (1988), 3.845 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Dominican Republic Communications:Dominican Republic Communications Railroads: 1,655 km total in numerous segments; 4 different gauges from 0.558 m to 1.435 m Highways: 12,000 km total; 5,800 km paved, 5,600 km gravel and improved earth, 600 km unimproved Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km Ports: Santo Domingo, Haina, San Pedro de Macoris, Puerto Plata Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT Civil air: 23 major transport aircraft Airports: 36 total, 30 usable; 12 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: relatively efficient domestic system based on islandwide microwave relay network; 190,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 120 AM, no FM, 18 TV, 6 shortwave; 1 coaxial submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Dominican Republic Defense Forces:Dominican Republic Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,013,294; 1,271,772 fit for military service; 80,117 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $70 million, 1% of GDP (1990) :Ecuador Geography:Ecuador Geography Total area: 283,560 km2 Land area: 276,840 km2; includes Galapagos Islands Comparative area: slightly smaller than Nevada Land boundaries: 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 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%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: subject to frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; periodic droughts Note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world :Ecuador People:Ecuador People Population: 10,933,143 (July 1992), growth rate 2.2% (1992) Birth rate: 28 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 42 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 72 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Ecuadorian(s); adjective - Ecuadorian Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian 25%, Spanish 10%, black 10% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish (official); Indian languages, especially Quechua Literacy: 86% (male 88%, female 84%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,800,000; agriculture 35%, manufacturing 21%, commerce 16%, services and other activities 28% (1982) Organized labor: less than 15% of labor force :Ecuador Government:Ecuador Government Long-form name: Republic of Ecuador Type: republic Capital: Quito Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain; Battle of Pichincha) Constitution: 10 August 1979 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 10 August (1809, independence of Quito) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos (since 10 August 1988); Vice President Luis PARODI Valverde (since 10 August 1988) Suffrage: universal at age 18; compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters Elections: National Congress: last held 17 June 1990 (next to be held 17 May 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) PSC 16, ID 14, PRE 13, PSE 8, DP 7, CFP 3, PC 3, PLR 3, FADI 2, FRA 2, MPD 1 President: runoff election held 5 July 1992; results - Sixto DURAN elected as president and Alberto DAHIK elected as vice president Communists: Communist Party of Ecuador (PCE, pro-Moscow), Rene Mauge MOSQUERA, secretary general, 5,000 members; Communist Party of Ecuador/Marxist-Leninist (PCMLE, Maoist), 3,000 members; Socialist Party of Ecuador (PSE, pro-Cuba), 5,000 members (est.); National Liberation Party (PLN, Communist), less than 5,000 members (est.) Member of: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jaime MONCAYO; Chancery at 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 234-7200; there are Ecuadorian Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco, and a Consulate in San Diego :Ecuador Government:Ecuador Government US: Ambassador vacant; Embassy at Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria; Quito (mailing address is P. O. Box 538, Quito, or APO AA 34039); telephone [593] (2) 562-890; FAX [593] (2) 502-052; there is a US Consulate General in 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:Ecuador Economy Overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Growth has been uneven because of natural disasters (for example, a major earthquake in 1987), fluctuations in global oil prices, and government policies designed to curb inflation. The government has not taken a supportive attitude toward either domestic or foreign investment, although its agreement to enter the Andean free trade zone is an encouraging move. As 1991 ended, Ecuador received a standby IMF loan of $105 million, which will permit the country to proceed with the rescheduling of Paris Club debt. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $11.5 billion, per capita $1,070; real growth rate 2.5% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 49% (1991) Unemployment rate: 8.0% (1990) Budget: revenues $2.2 billion; expenditures $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $375 million (1991) Exports: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: petroleum 47%, coffee, bananas, cocoa products, shrimp, fish products partners: US 60%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC countries Imports: $1.95 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: transport equipment, vehicles, machinery, chemicals partners: US 34%, Latin America, Caribbean, EC, Japan External debt: $12.4 billion (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate -3.8% (1989); accounts for almost 40% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 2,344,000 kW capacity; 6,430 million kWh produced, 598 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal works, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, timber Agriculture: accounts for 18% of GDP and 35% of labor force (including fishing and forestry); leading producer and exporter of bananas and balsawood; other exports - coffee, cocoa, fish, shrimp; crop production - rice, potatoes, manioc, plantains, sugarcane; livestock sector - cattle, sheep, hogs, beef, pork, dairy products; net importer of foodgrains, dairy products, and sugar Illicit drugs: minor illicit producer of coca following the successful eradication campaign of 1985-87; significant transit country, however, for derivatives of coca originating in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $498 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.15 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $64 million Currency: sucre (plural - sucres); 1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos :Ecuador Economy:Ecuador Economy Exchange rates: sucres (S/) per US$1 - 1,046.25 (1991), 869.54 (December 1990), 767.75 (1990), 526.35 (1989), 301.61 (1988), 170.46 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Ecuador Communications:Ecuador Communications Railroads: 965 km total; all 1.067-meter-gauge single track Highways: 28,000 km total; 3,600 km paved, 17,400 km gravel and improved earth, 7,000 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 1,500 km Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km Ports: Guayaquil, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, Esmeraldas Merchant marine: 46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 337,999 GRT/491,996 DWT; includes 2 passenger, 4 cargo, 17 refrigerated cargo, 4 container, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 15 petroleum tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 2 bulk Civil air: 23 major transport aircraft Airports: 143 total, 142 usable; 43 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runway over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 23 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: domestic facilities generally adequate; 318,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 272 AM, no FM, 33 TV, 39 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Ecuador Defense Forces:Ecuador Defense Forces Branches: Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,804,260; 1,898,401 fit for military service; 115,139 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Egypt Geography:Egypt Geography Total area: 1,001,450 km2 Land area: 995,450 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: 2,689 km; Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km, Sudan 1,273 km Coastline: 2,450 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: undefined Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international boundary Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Natural resources: crude oil, 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 NEGL%; other 95%; includes irrigated 5% Environment: Nile is only perennial water source; increasing soil salinization below Aswan High Dam; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; water pollution; desertification 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; size and juxtaposition to Israel establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics :Egypt People:Egypt People Population: 56,368,950 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992) Birth rate: 33 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 80 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 58 years male, 62 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Egyptian(s); adjective - Egyptian Ethnic divisions: Eastern Hamitic stock 90%; Greek, Italian, Syro-Lebanese 10% Religions: (official estimate) Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%; Coptic Christian and other 6% Languages: Arabic (official); English and French widely understood by educated classes Literacy: 48% (male 63%, female 34%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 15,000,000 (1989 est.); government, public sector enterprises, and armed forces 36%; agriculture 34%; privately owned service and manufacturing enterprises 20% (1984); shortage of skilled labor; 2,500,000 Egyptians work abroad, mostly in Iraq and the Gulf Arab states (1988 est.) Organized labor: 2,500,000 (est.) :Egypt Government:Egypt Government Long-form name: Arab Republic of Egypt Type: republic Capital: Cairo Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazah, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buchayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma`iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyu`t, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa`id, Dumyat, Janub Sina, Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina, Suhaj Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK); formerly United Arab Republic 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 National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Majlis al-Cha'b); note - there is an Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura) that functions in a consultative role Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (was made acting President on 6 October 1981 upon the assassination of President SADAT and sworn in as President on 14 October 1981) Head of Government: Prime Minister Atef Mohammed Najib SEDKY (since 12 November 1986) Political parties and leaders: formation of political parties must be approved by government; National Democratic Party (NDP), President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK, leader, is the dominant party; legal opposition parties are Socialist Liberal Party (SLP), Kamal MURAD; Socialist Labor Party, Ibrahim SHUKRI; National Progressive Unionist Grouping (NPUG), Khalid MUHYI-AL-DIN; Umma Party, Ahmad al-SABAHI; New Wafd Party (NWP), Fu'd SIRAJ AL-DIN; Misr al-Fatah Party (Young Egypt Party), Ali al-Din SALIH; The Greens Party, Hasan RAJAB; Nasserist Arab Democratic Party, Dia' AL-DIN DAWOUD Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: Advisory Council: last held 8 June 1989 (next to be held June 1995); results - NDP 100%; seats - (258 total, 172 elected) NDP 172 People's Assembly: last held 29 November 1990 (next to be held November 1995); results - NDP 78.4%, NPUG 1.4%, independents 18.7%; seats - (437 total, 444 elected) - including NDP 348, NPUG 6, independents 83; note - most opposition parties boycotted :Egypt Government:Egypt Government President: last held 5 October 1987 (next to be held October 1993); results - President Hosni MUBARAK was reelected Communists: about 500 party members Other political or pressure groups: Islamic groups are illegal, but the largest one, the Muslim Brotherhood, is tolerated by the government; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned Member of: ACC, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AG (observer), AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador El Sayed Abdel Raouf EL REEDY; Chancery at 2310 Decatur Place NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-5400; there are Egyptian Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco US: Ambassador Robert PELLETREAU; Embassy at Lazougi Street, Garden City, Cairo (mailing address is APO AE 09839); telephone [20] (2) 355-7371; FAX [20] (2) 355-7375; there is a US Consulate General in Alexandria Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria that has two green stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band :Egypt Economy:Egypt Economy Overview: Egypt has one of the largest public sectors of all the Third World economies, 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. As part of the 1987 agreement with the IMF, the government agreed to institute a reform program to reduce inflation, promote economic growth, and improve its external position. The reforms have been slow in coming, however, and the economy has been largely stagnant for the past four years. The addition of 1 million people every seven months to Egypt's population exerts enormous pressure on the 5% of the total land area available for agriculture. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $39.2 billion, per capita $720; real growth rate 2% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $9.4 billion; expenditures $15.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $6 billion (FY90 est.) Exports: $4.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals partners: EC, Eastern Europe, US, Japan Imports: $11.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood products, durable consumer goods, capital goods partners: EC, US, Japan, Eastern Europe External debt: $38 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.3% (FY89 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: 13,500,000 kW capacity; 45,000 million kWh produced, 820 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, petroleum, construction, cement, metals Agriculture: accounts for 20% of GDP and employs more than one-third of labor force; dependent on irrigation water from the Nile; world's sixth-largest cotton exporter; other crops produced include rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruit, vegetables; not self-sufficient in food; livestock - cattle, water buffalo, sheep, and goats; annual fish catch about 140,000 metric tons Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $15.7 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $10.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $2.9 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.4 billion :Egypt Economy:Egypt Economy Currency: Egyptian pound (plural - pounds); 1 Egyptian pound (#E) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (#E) per US$1 - 3.3310 (January 1992), 2.7072 (1990), 2.5171 (1989), 2.2233 (1988), 1.5183 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Egypt Communications:Egypt Communications Railroads: 5,110 km total; 4,763 km 1,435-meter standard gauge, 347 km 0.750-meter gauge; 951 km double track; 25 km electrified Highways: 51,925 km total; 17,900 km paved, 2,500 km gravel, 13,500 km improved earth, 18,025 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the delta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km long (including approaches), used by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 meters of water Pipelines: crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural gas 460 km Ports: Alexandria, Port Said, Suez, Bur Safajah, Damietta Merchant marine: 150 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,019,182 GRT/1,499,880 DWT; includes 11 passenger, 5 short-sea passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 86 cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 15 roll-on/roll-off, 12 petroleum tanker, 15 bulk, 1 container Civil air: 50 major transport aircraft Airports: 92 total, 82 usable; 66 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 44 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 24 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: system is large but still inadequate for needs; principal centers are Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah, Ismailia, Suez and Tanta; intercity connections by coaxial cable and microwave; extensive upgrading in progress; 600,000 telephones (est.); broadcast stations - 39 AM, 6 FM, 41 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 INMARSAT, 1 ARABSAT; 5 submarine coaxial cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; radio relay to Libya, Israel, and Jordan :Egypt Defense Forces:Egypt Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command Manpower availability: males 15-49, 13,911,006; 9,044,425 fit for military service; 563,321 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion, 6.4% of GDP (1991) :El Salvador Geography:El Salvador Geography Total area: 21,040 km2 Land area: 20,720 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: 545 km; Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km Coastline: 307 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm (overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nm) Disputes: dispute with Honduras over several sections of the land boundary; dispute over Golfo de Fonseca maritime boundary because of disputed sovereignty of islands 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, crude oil Land use: arable land 27%; permanent crops 8%; meadows and pastures 29%; forest and woodland 6%; other 30%; includes irrigated 5% Environment: The Land of Volcanoes; subject to frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution Note: smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea :El Salvador People:El Salvador People Population: 5,574,279 (July 1992), growth rate 2.2% (1992) Birth rate: 33 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: - 6 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 26 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Salvadoran(s); adjective - Salvadoran Ethnic divisions: mestizo 89%, Indian 10%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic about 75%, with extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout the country (more than 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador at the end of 1990) Languages: Spanish, Nahua (among some Indians) Literacy: 73% (male 76%, female 70%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,700,000 (1982 est.); agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%, financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1%; shortage of skilled labor and a large pool of unskilled labor, but manpower training programs improving situation (1984 est.) Organized labor: total labor force 15%; agricultural labor force 10%; urban labor force 7% (1987 est.) :El Salvador Government:El Salvador Government Long-form name: Republic of El Salvador Type: republic Capital: San Salvador Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Executive branch: president, vice president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Alfredo CRISTIANI Buchard (since 1 June 1989); Vice President Jose Francisco MERINO (since 1 June 1989) Political parties and leaders: National Republican Alliance (ARENA), Armando CALDERON Sol; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Fidel CHAVEZ Mena; National Conciliation Party (PCN), Ciro CRUZ Zepeda; National Democratic Union (UDN), Mario AGUINADA Carranza; the Democratic Convergence (CD) is a coalition of three parties - the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Wilfredo BARILLAS; the National Revolutionary Movement (MNR), Victor VALLE; and the Popular Social Christian Movement (MPSC), Ruben ZAMORA; Authentic Christian Movement (MAC), Julio REY PRENDES; Democratic Action (AD), Ricardo GONZALEZ Camacho Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held 10 March 1991 (next to be held March 1994); results - ARENA 44.3%, PDC 27.96%, CD 12.16%, PCN 8.99%, MAC 3.23%, UDN 2.68%; seats - (84 total) ARENA 39, PDC 26, PCN 9, CD 8, UDN 1, MAC 1 President: last held 19 March 1989 (next to be held March 1994); results - Alfredo CRISTIANI (ARENA) 53.8%, Fidel CHAVEZ Mena (PDC) 36.6%, other 9.6% Other political or pressure groups: Business organizations: National Association of Private Enterprise (ANEP), conservative; Productive Alliance (AP), conservative; National Federation of Salvadoran Small Businessmen (FENAPES), conservative :El Salvador Government:El Salvador Government FMLN front organizations: Labor fronts include - National Union of Salvadoran Workers (UNTS), leftist umbrella front group, leads FMLN front network; National Federation of Salvadoran Workers (FENASTRAS), best organized of front groups and controlled by FMLN's National Resistance (RN); Social Security Institute Workers Union (STISSS), one of the most militant fronts, is controlled by FMLN's Armed Forces of National Resistance (FARN) and RN; Association of Telecommunications Workers (ASTTEL); Centralized Union Federation of El Salvador (FUSS); Treasury Ministry Employees (AGEMHA); Nonlabor fronts include - Committee of Mothers and Families of Political Prisoners, Disappeared Persons, and Assassinated of El Salvador (COMADRES); Nongovernmental Human Rights Commission (CDHES); Committee of Dismissed and Unemployed of El Salvador (CODYDES); General Association of Salvadoran University Students (AGEUS); National Association of Salvadoran Educators (ANDES-21 DE JUNIO); Salvadoran Revolutionary Student Front (FERS), associated with the Popular Forces of Liberation (FPL); Association of National University Educators (ADUES); Salvadoran University Students Front (FEUS); Christian Committee for the Displaced of El Salvador (CRIPDES), an FPL front; The Association for Communal Development in El Salvador (PADECOES), controlled by the People's Revolutionary Army (ERP); Confederation of Cooperative Associations of El Salvador (COACES) Other political or pressure groups: Labor organizations: Federation of Construction and Transport Workers Unions (FESINCONSTRANS), independent; Salvadoran Communal Union (UCS), peasant association; Unitary Federation of Salvadoran Unions (FUSS), leftist; National Federation of Salvadoran Workers (FENASTRAS), leftist; Democratic Workers Central (CTD), moderate; General Confederation of Workers (CGT), moderate; National Unity of Salvadoran Workers (UNTS), leftist; National Union of Workers and Peasants (UNOC), moderate labor coalition of democratic labor organizations; United Workers Front (FUT) Leftist political parties: National Democratic Union (UDN), National Revolutionary Movement (MNR), and Popular Social Movement (MPSC) Leftist revolutionary movement: Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), leadership body of the insurgency, five factions - Popular Liberation Forces (FPL), Armed Forces of National Resistance (FARN), People's Revolutionary Army (ERP), Salvadoran Communist Party/Armed Forces of Liberation (PCES/FAL), and Central American Workers' Revolutionary Party (PRTC)/Popular Liberation Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARLP) Member of: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Miguel Angel SALAVERRIA; Chancery at 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-9671 through 3482; there are Salvadoran Consulates General in Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco US: Ambassador William G. WALKER; Embassy at 25 Avenida Norte No. 1230, San Salvador (mailing address is APO AA 34023); telephone [503] 26-7100; FAX [503] (26) 5839 :El Salvador Government:El Salvador Government 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:El Salvador Economy Overview: The agricultural sector accounts for 25% 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 18% of GDP and 15% of employment. Economic losses because of guerrilla sabotage total more than $2 billion since 1979. The costs of maintaining a large military seriously constrain the government's efforts to provide essential social services. Nevertheless, growth in national output during the period 1990-91 exceeded growth in population for the first time since 1987. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.5 billion, per capita $1,010; real growth rate 3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19% (1990) Unemployment rate: 10% (1989) Budget: revenues $751 million; expenditures $790 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Exports: $580 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: coffee 45%, sugar, cotton, shrimp partners: US 49%, Germany 24%, Guatemala 7%, Costa Rica 4%, Japan 4% Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: petroleum products, consumer goods, foodstuffs, machinery, construction materials, fertilizer partners: US 40%, Guatemala 12%, Venezuela 7%, Mexico 7%, Germany 5%, Japan 4% External debt: $2.0 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.4% (1990); accounts for 22% of GDP Electricity: 682,000 kW capacity; 1,927 million kWh produced, 356 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, textiles, clothing, beverages, petroleum, tobacco products, chemicals, furniture Agriculture: accounts for 25% 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 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $2.95 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $525 million Currency: Salvadoran colon (plural - colones); 1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 - 8.1 (January 1992), floating rate since mid-1990); 5.0000 (fixed rate 1986 to mid-1990) Fiscal year: calendar year :El Salvador Communications:El Salvador Communications Railroads: 602 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track Highways: 10,000 km total; 1,500 km paved, 4,100 km gravel, 4,400 km improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable Ports: Acajutla, Cutuco Civil air: 7 major transport aircraft Airports: 107 total, 77 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: nationwide trunk radio relay system; connection into Central American Microwave System; 116,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 77 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :El Salvador Defense Forces:El Salvador Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, National Police, Treasury Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,265,149; 809,419 fit for military service; 68,445 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $220 million, 3.6% of GDP (1991) :Equatorial Guinea Geography:Equatorial Guinea Geography Total area: 28,050 km2 Land area: 28,050 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: 539 km; Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km Coastline: 296 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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, crude oil, 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% Environment: subject to violent windstorms Note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated :Equatorial Guinea People:Equatorial Guinea People Population: 388,799 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992) Birth rate: 42 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 107 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 49 years male, 53 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s); adjective - Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Ethnic divisions: indigenous population of Bioko, primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos; Rio Muni, primarily Fang; less than 1,000 Europeans, mostly Spanish Religions: natives all nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic; some pagan practices retained Languages: Spanish (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo Literacy: 50% (male 64%, female 37%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 172,000 (1986 est.); agriculture 66%, services 23%, industry 11% (1980); labor shortages on plantations; 58% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: no formal trade unions :Equatorial Guinea Government:Equatorial Guinea Government Long-form name: Republic of Equatorial Guinea Type: republic in transition to multiparty democracy Capital: Malabo Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain; formerly Spanish Guinea) Constitution: new constitution 17 November 1991 Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives of the People (Camara de Representantes del Pueblo) Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal Leaders: Chief of State: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979) Head of Government: Prime Minister Cristino SERICHE BIOKO MALABO (since 15 August 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Isidoro Eyi MONSUY ANDEME (since 15 August 1989) Political parties and leaders: only party - Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, party leader; multipartyism legalized in new constitution of November 1991, promulgated January 1992 Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: Chamber of People's Representatives: last held 10 July 1988 (next to be held 10 July 1993); results - PDGE is the only party; seats - (41 total) PDGE 41 President: last held 25 June 1989 (next to be held 25 June 1996); results - President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO was reelected without opposition Member of: ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Damaso OBIANG NDONG; Chancery (temporary) 57 Magnolia Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10553; telephone (914) 667-9664 US: Ambassador John E. BENNETT; Embassy at Calle de Los Ministros, Malabo (mailing address is P.O. Box 597, Malabo); telephone [240] (9) 2185, 2406, 2507; FAX [240] (9) 2164 :Equatorial Guinea Government:Equatorial Guinea Government 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:Equatorial Guinea Economy Overview: The economy, destroyed during the regime of former President Macias NGUEMA, is now based on agriculture, forestry, and fishing, which account for about half of GDP and nearly all exports. Subsistence agriculture predominates, with cocoa, coffee, and wood products providing income, foreign exchange, and government revenues. There is little industry. 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. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $156 million, per capita $400; real growth rate 1.6% (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $27 million; expenditures $29 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1990 est.) Exports: $37 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: coffee, timber, cocoa beans partners: Spain 38.2%, Italy 12.2%, Netherlands 11.4%, FRG 6.9%, Nigeria 12.4 (1988) Imports: $68.3 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery partners: France 25.9%, Spain 21.0%, Italy 16%, US 12.8%, Netherlands 8%, Germany 3.1%, Gabon 2.9%, Nigeria 1.8 (1988) External debt: $213 million (1990) Industrial production: growth rate - 6.8% (1990 est.) Electricity: 23,000 kW capacity; 60 million kWh produced, 160 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: fishing, sawmilling Agriculture: cash crops - timber and coffee from Rio Muni, cocoa from Bioko; food crops - rice, yams, cassava, bananas, oil palm nuts, manioc, livestock Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY81-89), $14 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89) $130 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $55 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) :Equatorial Guinea Economy:Equatorial Guinea Economy Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Equatorial Guinea Communications:Equatorial Guinea Communications Highways: Rio Muni - 2,460 km; Bioko - 300 km Ports: Malabo, Bata Merchant marine: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,413 GRT/6,699 DWT; includes 1 cargo and 1 passenger-cargo Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor system with adequate government services; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; 2,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Equatorial Guinea Defense Forces:Equatorial Guinea Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 81,850; 41,528 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GNP :Estonia Geography:Estonia Geography Total area: 45,100 km2 Land area: 43,200 km2; (includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea) Comparative area: slightly larger than New Hampshire and Vermont combined Land boundaries: 557 km; Latvia 267 km, Russia 290 km Coastline: 1,393 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: NA meter depth Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Territorial sea: NA nm Disputes: international small border strips along the northern (Narva) and southern (Petseri) sections of eastern border with Russia ceded to Russia in 1945 by the Estonian SSR Climate: maritime, wet, moderate winters Terrain: marshy, lowlands Natural resources: shale oil, peat, phosphorite, amber Land use: 22% arable land; NA% permanent crops; 11% meadows and pastures; 31% forest and woodland; 21% other; includes NA% irrigated; 15% swamps and lakes Environment: coastal waters largely polluted :Estonia People:Estonia People Population: 1,607,349 (July 1992), growth rate 0.7% (1992) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 25 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Estonian(s); adjective - Estonian Ethnic divisions: Estonian 61.5%, Russian 30.3%, Ukrainian 3.17%, Byelorussian 1.8%, Finn 1.1%, other 2.13% (1989) Religions: Lutheran is primary denomination Languages: Estonian NA% (official), Latvian NA%, Lithuanian NA%, Russian NA%, other NA% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 796,000; industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 13%, other 45% (1990) Organized labor: NA :Estonia Government:Estonia Government Long-form name: Republic of Estonia Type: republic Capital: Tallinn Administrative divisions: none - all districts are under direct republic jurisdiction Independence: 8 November 1917; occupied by Germany in March 1918 and restored to power in November 1918; annexed by USSR 6 August 1940; declared independence 20 August 1991 and regained independence from USSR 6 September 1991 Constitution: currently rewriting constitution, but readopted the constitution of 1938 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918) Executive branch: prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Chairman, Supreme Council Arnold R'UTEL (since April 1983) Head of Government: Prime Minister Tiit VAHI (since January 1992) Political parties and leaders: Popular Front of Estonia (Rahvarinne), NA chairman; Estonian Christian Democratic Party, Aivar KALA, chairman; Estonian Christian Democratic Union, Illar HALLASTE, chairman; Estonian Heritage Society (EMS), Trivimi VELLISTE, chairman; Estonian National Independence Party (ERSP), Lagle PAREK, chairman; Estonian Social Democratic Party, Marju LAURISTIN, chairman; Estonian Green Party, Tonu OJA; Independent Estonian Communist Party, Vaino VALJAS; People's Centrist Party, Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Congress of Estonia: last held March 1990 (next to be held NA); note - Congress of Estonia is a quasi-governmental structure; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (495 total) number of seats by party NA President: last held NA 1990; (next to be held NA); results - NA Supreme Council: last held 18 March 1990; (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (105 total) number of seats by party NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CSCE, IAEA, ICFTU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ernst JAAKSON, Legation of Estonia, Office of Consulate General, 9 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1421, New York, NY 10020; telephone (212) 247-1450 :Estonia Government:Estonia Government US: Ambassador Robert C. FRASURE; Embassy at Kentmanni 20, Tallin EE 0001; telephone 011-[358] (49) 303-182 (cellular); FAX [358] (49) 306-817 (cellular); note - dialing to Baltics still requires use of an international operator unless you use the cellular phone lines Flag: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990; flag is three equal horizontal bands of blue, black, and white :Estonia Economy:Estonia Economy Overview: Starting in July 1991, under a new law on private ownership, small enterprises, such as retail shops and restaurants, were sold to private owners. The auctioning of large-scale enterprises is now in progress with the proceeds being held in escrow until the prior ownership (that is, Estonian or the Commonwealth of Independent States) can be established. Estonia ranks first in per capita consumption among the former Soviet republics. Agriculture is well developed, especially meat production, and provides a surplus for export. Only about one-fifth of the work force is in agriculture. The major share of the work force engages in manufacturing both capital and consumer goods based on raw materials and intermediate products from the other former Soviet republics. These manufactures are of high quality by ex-Soviet standards and are exported to the other republics. Estonia's mineral resources are limited to major deposits of shale oil (60% of old Soviet total) and phosphorites (400 million tons). Estonia has a large, relatively modern port and produces more than half of its own energy needs at highly polluting shale oil power plants. Like the other 14 successor republics, Estonia is suffering through a difficult transitional period - between a collapsed command economic structure and a still-to-be-built market structure. It has advantages in the transition, not having suffered so long under the Soviet yoke and having better chances of developing profitable ties to the Nordic and West European countries. GDP: $NA billion, per capita $NA; real growth rate -11% (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): approximately 200% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA million; expenditures $NA million, including capital expenditures of $NA million Exports: $186 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery 30%, food 17%, chemicals 11%, electric power 9% partners: Russia 50%, other former Soviet republics 30%, Ukraine 15%, West 5% Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery 45%, oil 13%, chemicals 12% partners: NA External debt: $650 million (end of 1991) Industrial production: growth rate -9% (1991) Electricity: 3,305,000 kW capacity; 17,200 million kWh produced, 10,865 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: accounts for 30% of labor force; oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes, apparel Agriculture: employs 20% of work force; very efficient; net exports of meat, fish, dairy products, and potatoes; imports feedgrains for livestock; fruits and vegetables :Estonia Economy:Estonia Economy Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million Currency: kroon; to be introduced in 1992 Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Estonia Communications:Estonia Communications Railroads: 1,030 km (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 30,300 km total (1990); 29,200 km hard surfaced; 1,100 km earth Inland waterways: 500 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil NA km, refined products NA km, natural gas NA km Ports: maritime - Tallinn, Parnu; inland - Narva Merchant marine: 65 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 386,634 GRT/516,866 DWT; includes 51 cargo, 6 roll-on/roll-off, 2 short-sea passenger, 6 bulk Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: NA total, NA usable; NA with permanent-surface runways; NA with runways over 3,659 m; NA with runways 2,440-3,659 m; NA with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: telephone diversity - NA; broadcast stations - 3 TV (provide Estonian programs as well as Moscow Ostenkino's first and second programs); international traffic is carried to the other former USSR republics by landline or microwave and to other countries by leased connection to the Moscow international gateway switch, by the Finnish cellular net, and by an old copper submarine cable to Finland :Estonia Defense Forces:Estonia Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; Russian Forces (Ground, Navy, Air, Air Defense, and Border Guard) Manpower availability: males 15-49, total mobilized force projected 120,000-130,000; NA fit for military service; between 10,000-12,000 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Ethiopia Geography:Ethiopia Geography Total area: 1,221,900 km2 Land area: 1,101,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: 5,141 km; Djibouti 459 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 2,221 km Coastline: 1,094 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line; possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnic Somalis; territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden; independence referendum in Eritrea scheduled for April 1992 Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation; some areas prone to extended droughts Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley 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%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; frequent droughts; famine Note: strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields :Ethiopia People:Ethiopia People Population: 54,270,464 (July 1992), growth rate 3.2% (1992) Birth rate: 45 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 112 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 53 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Ethiopian(s); adjective - Ethiopian Ethnic divisions: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1% Religions: Muslim 40-45%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35-40%, animist 15-20%, other 5% Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga, Somali, Arabic, English (major foreign language taught in schools) Literacy: 62% (male NA%, female NA%) age 10 and over can read and write (1983 est.) Labor force: 18,000,000; agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985) Organized labor: All Ethiopian Trade Union formed by the government in January 1977 to represent 273,000 registered trade union members; was dissolved when the TGE came to power; labor code of 1975 is being redrafted :Ethiopia Government:Ethiopia Government Long-form name: none Type: on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa; the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE), announced as a two-year transitional period; on 29 May 1991, Issayas AFEWORKE, secretary general of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), announced the formation of the Provisional Government in Eritrea (PGE), in preparation for an eventual referendum on independence for the province Capital: Addis Ababa Administrative divisions: 14 administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akababi) and 1 autonomous region* (rasgez akababi); Addis Ababa (Addis Ababa), Afar, Agew, Amhara, Benishangul, Ertra (Eritrea)*, Gambela, Gurage-Hadiya-Wolayta, Harer, Kefa, Omo, Oromo, Sidamo, Somali, Tigray Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years Constitution: to be redrafted by 1993 Legal system: NA National holiday: National Revolution Day 12 September (1974) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: Council of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Interim President Meles ZENAWI (since 1 June 1991); transitional government Head of Government: Acting Prime Minister Tamirat LAYNE (since 6 June 1991) Political parties and leaders: NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Council of Representatives: last held 14 June 1987 (next to be held after new constitution drafted) President: last held 10 September 1987; next election planned after new constitution drafted; results - MENGISTU Haile-Mariam elected by the now defunct National Assembly, but resigned and left Ethiopia on 21 May 1991 Other political or pressure groups: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF); Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP); numerous small, ethnic-based groups have formed since Mengistu's resignation Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Counselor, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Girma AMARE; Chancery at 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-2281 or 2282 :Ethiopia Government:Ethiopia Government US: Charge d'Affaires Marc A. BAAS; Embassy at Entoto Street, Addis Ababa (mailing address is P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa); telephone [251] (01) 550666; FAX [251] (1) 551-166 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:Ethiopia Economy Overview: Ethiopia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in Africa. Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, which accounts for about 45% of GDP, 90% of exports, and 80% of total employment; coffee generates 60% of export earnings. 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. Favorable agricultural weather largely explains the 4.5% growth in output in FY89, whereas drought and deteriorating internal security conditions prevented growth in FY90. In 1991 the lack of law and order, particularly in the south, interfered with economic development and growth. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $6.6 billion, per capita $130, real growth rate- 0.4% (FY90 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.2% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA Budget: revenues $1.8 billion; expenditures $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $842 million (FY88) Exports: $429 million (f.o.b., FY88) commodities: coffee 60%, hides partners: US, FRG, Djibouti, Japan, PDRY, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia Imports: $1.1 billion (c.i.f., FY88) commodities: food, fuels, capital goods partners: USSR, Italy, FRG, Japan, UK, US, France External debt: $2.6 billion (1988) Industrial production: growth rate 2.3% (FY89 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP Electricity: 330,000 kW capacity; 650 million kWh produced, 10 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement Agriculture: accounts for 45% of GDP and is the most important sector of the economy even though frequent droughts and poor cultivation practices keep farm output low; famines not uncommon; export crops of coffee and oilseeds grown partly on state farms; estimated 50% of agricultural production at subsistence level; principal crops and livestock - cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes and other vegetables, hides and skins, cattle, sheep, goats Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $504 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.4 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $8 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.0 billion Currency: birr (plural - birr); 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 - 2.0700 (fixed rate) :Ethiopia Economy:Ethiopia Economy Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July :Ethiopia Communications:Ethiopia Communications Railroads: 988 km total; 681 km 1.000-meter gauge; 307 km 0.950-meter gauge (nonoperational) Highways: 44,300 km total; 3,650 km paved, 9,650 km gravel, 3,000 km improved earth, 28,000 km unimproved earth Ports: Aseb, Mitsiwa Merchant marine: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 62,627 GRT/88,909 DWT; includes 8 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll off, 1 livestock carrier, 2 petroleum tanker Civil air: 25 major transport aircraft Airports: 123 total, 86 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 13 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 38 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: open-wire and radio relay system adequate for government use; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 100,000 TV sets; 9,000,000 radios; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Ethiopia Defense Forces:Ethiopia Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 12,015,589; 6,230,680 fit for military service; 572,982 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $760 million, 12.8% of GDP (1989) :Europa Island Geography:Europa Island Geography Total area: 28 km2 Land area: 28 km2 Comparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 22.2 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: NA Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest and woodland NA%; other NA%; heavily wooded Environment: wildlife sanctuary Note: located in the Mozambique Channel 340 km west of Madagascar :Europa Island People:Europa Island People Population: uninhabited :Europa Island Government:Europa Island Government Long-form name: none Type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE (as of July 1991); resident in Reunion Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion :Europa Island Economy:Europa Island Economy Overview: no economic activity :Europa Island Communications:Europa Island Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 with runways 1,220 to 2,439 m Telecommunications: 1 meteorological station :Europa Island Defense Forces:Europa Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Geography:Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Geography Total area: 12,170 km2 Land area: 12,170 km2; includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands Comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 100 meter depth Exclusive fishing zone: 150 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 and wildlife Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 99%; forest and woodland 0%; other 1% Environment: poor soil fertility and a short growing season Note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) People:Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) People Population: 1,900 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Falkland Islander(s); adjective - Falkland Island Ethnic divisions: almost totally British Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, and United Free Church; Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: English Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education age 5 to 15 (1988) Labor force: 1,100 (est.); agriculture, mostly sheepherding about 95% Organized labor: Falkland Islands General Employees Union, 400 members :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Government:Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Government Long-form name: Colony of the Falkland Islands Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Stanley Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 3 October 1985 Legal system: English common law National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Governor William Hugh FULLERTON (since NA 1988) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Council: last held 11 October 1989 (next to be held October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (10 total, 8 elected) number of seats by party NA Member of: ICFTU 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:Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Economy Overview: The economy is based on sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. A few dairy herds are kept to meet domestic consumption of milk and milk products, and crops grown are primarily those for providing 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. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees amount to more than $40 million per year and are a primary source of income for the government. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (1980-87 average) Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage Budget: revenues $62.7 million; expenditures $41.8 million, excluding capital expenditures of $NA (FY90) Exports: at least $14.7 million commodities: wool, hides and skins, and other partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1987 est.) Imports: at least $13.9 million commodities: food, clothing, fuels, and machinery partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1987 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 9,200 kW capacity; 17 million kWh produced, 8,638 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: wool and fish processing Agriculture: predominantly sheep farming; small dairy herds; some fodder and vegetable crops Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $277 million Currency: Falkland pound (plural - pounds); 1 Falkland pound (#F) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Falkland pound (#F) per US$1 - 0.5519 (January 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5604 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Communications:Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Communications Highways: 510 km total; 30 km paved, 80 km gravel, and 400 km unimproved earth Ports: Port Stanley Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220 to 2,439 m Telecommunications: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radio networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands; 590 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station with links through London to other countries :Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Defense Forces:Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Defense Forces Branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (including Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines); Police Force Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Faroe Islands Geography:Faroe Islands Geography Total area: 1,400 km2 Land area: 1,400 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than eight times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 764 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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% Environment: precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands; archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few uninhabited islets Note: strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic about midway between Iceland and Shetland Islands :Faroe Islands People:Faroe Islands People Population: 48,588 (July 1992), growth rate 0.9% (1992) Birth rate: 17 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Faroese (singular and plural); adjective - Faroese Ethnic divisions: homogeneous Scandinavian population Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 17,585; largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing, transportation, and commerce Organized labor: NA :Faroe Islands Government:Faroe Islands Government Long-form name: none Type: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark Capital: Torshavn Administrative divisions: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Independence: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark Constitution: Danish Legal system: Danish National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Executive branch: Danish monarch, high commissioner, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet (Landsstyri) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Lgting) Judicial branch: none Leaders: Chief of State: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Bent KLINTE (since NA) Head of Government: Prime Minister Atli P. DAM (since 15 January 1991) Political parties and leaders: opposition: Cooperation Coalition Party, Pauli ELLEFSEN; Republican Party, Signer HANSEN; Progressive and Fishing Industry Party-Christian People's Party (PFIP-CPP), leader NA; Progress Party, leader NA; Home Rule Party, Hilmar KASS two-party ruling coalition: Social Democratic Party, Atli P. DAM; People's Party, Jogvan SUND- STEIN Suffrage: universal at age 20 Elections: Danish Parliament: last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Social Democratic 1, People's Party 1; note - the Faroe Islands elects two representatives to the Danish Parliament Faroese Parliament: last held 17 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - Social Democratic 27.4%, People's Party 21.9%, Cooperation Coalition Party 18.9%, Republican Party 14.7%, Home Rule 8.8%, PFIP-CPP 5.9%, other 2.4%; seats - (32 total) two-party coalition 17 (Social Democratic 10, People's Party 7), Cooperation Coalition Party 6, Republican Party 4, Home Rule 3, PFIP-CPP 2 Diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Flag: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the DANNEBROG (Danish flag) :Faroe Islands Economy:Faroe Islands Economy Overview: The Faroese, who have long been enjoying the affluent living standards of the Danes and other Scandinavians, now must cope with the decline of the all-important fishing industry and with an external debt twice the size of annual income. 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 further reductions in the fishing industry, which has already been plagued with bankrupcies. An annual Danish subsidy of $140 million continues to provide roughly one-third of the islands' budget revenues. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $662 million, per capita $14,000; real growth rate 3% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.0% (1988) Unemployment rate: 5-6% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $425 million; expenditures $480 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1991 est.) Exports: $386 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: fish and fish products 88%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment (1989) partners: Denmark 20%, Germany 18.3%, UK 14.2%, France 11.2%, Spain 7.9%, US 4.5% Imports: $322 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 24.4%, manufactures 24%, food and livestock 19%, fuels 12%, chemicals 6.5% partners: Denmark 43.8%, Norway 19.8%, Sweden 4.9%, Germany 4.2%, US 1.3% External debt: $1.3 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 80,000 kW capacity; 280 million kWh produced, 5,910 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts Agriculture: accounts for 27% of GDP and employs 27% of labor force; principal crops - potatoes and vegetables; livestock - sheep; annual fish catch about 360,000 metric tons Economic aid: none Currency: Danish krone (plural - kroner); 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 ore Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.116 (January 1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988), 6.840 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Faroe Islands Communications:Faroe Islands Communications Highways: 200 km Ports: Torshavn, Tvoroyri Merchant marine: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,015 GRT/24,007 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 5 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 2 refrigerated cargo; note - a subset of the Danish register Airports: 1 with permanent surface runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good international communications; fair domestic facilities; 27,900 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 3 (10 repeaters) FM, 3 (29 repeaters) TV; 3 coaxial submarine cables :Faroe Islands Defense Forces:Faroe Islands Defense Forces Branches: no organized native military forces; only a small Police Force is maintained Note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark :Fiji Geography:Fiji Geography Total area: 18,270 km2 Land area: 18,270 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,129 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: subject to hurricanes from November to January; includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited Note: located 2,500 km north of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean :Fiji People:Fiji People Population: 749,946 (July 1992), growth rate 0.9% (1992) Birth rate: 25 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -10 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 67 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Fijian(s); adjective - Fijian Ethnic divisions: Indian 49%, Fijian 46%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% Religions: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%; note - Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority (1986) Languages: English (official); Fijian; Hindustani Literacy: 86% (male 90%, female 81%) age 15 and over can read and write (1985 est.) Labor force: 235,000; subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary earners 15% (1987) Organized labor: about 45,000 employees belong to some 46 trade unions, which are organized along lines of work and ethnic origin (1983) :Fiji Government:Fiji Government Long-form name: Republic of Fiji Type: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987 Capital: Suva Administrative divisions: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western Independence: 10 October 1970 (from UK) Constitution: 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new Constitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25 July 1990 Legal system: based on British system National holiday: Independence Day, 10 October (1970) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Great Councils of Chiefs (highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system) Legislative branch: the bicameral Parliament, consisting of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives, was dissolved following the coup of 14 May 1987; the Constitution of 23 September 1988 provides for a bicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu GANILAU (since 5 December 1987) Head of Government: Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (since 5 December 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Josefata KAMIKAMICA (since October 1991); note - Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA served as prime minister from 10 October 1970 until the 5-11 April 1987 election; after a second coup led by Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA on 25 September 1987, Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA was reappointed as prime minister Political parties and leaders: Fijian Political Party (primarily Fijian), leader Maj. Gen. Sitivini RABUKA; National Federation Party (NFP; primarily Indian), Siddiq KOYA; Christian Fijian Nationalist Party (CFNP), Sakeasi BUTADROKA; Fiji Labor Party (FLP), Jokapeci KOROI; All National Congress (ANC), Apisai TORA; General Voters Party (GVP), Max OLSSON; Fiji Conservative Party (FCP), Isireli VUIBAU; Conservative Party of Fiji (CPF), Jolale ULUDOLE and Viliame SAVU; Fiji Indian Liberal Party, Swami MAHARAJ; Fiji Indian Congress Party, Ishwari BAJPAI; Fiji Independent Labor (Muslim), leader NA; Four Corners Party, David TULVANUAVOU Suffrage: none Elections: House of Representatives: last held 14 May 1987 (next to be held 23-29 May 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (70 total, with ethnic Fijians allocated 37 seats, ethnic Indians 27 seats, and independents and other 6 seats) number of seats by party NA Member of: ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, PCA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO :Fiji Government:Fiji Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Pita Kewa NACUVA; Chancery at Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 337-8320; there is a Fijian Consulate in New York US: Ambassador Evelyn I. H. TEEGEN; Embassy at 31 Loftus Street, Suva (mailing address is P. O. Box 218, Suva); telephone [679] 314-466; FAX [679] 300-081 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 are a major source of foreign exchange, and sugar processing accounts for one-third of industrial output. Industry, including sugar milling, contributes 13% to GDP. Fiji traditionally had earned considerable sums of hard currency from the 250,000 tourists who visited each year. In 1987, however, after two military coups, the economy went into decline. GDP dropped by 7.8% in 1987 and by another 2.5% in 1988; political uncertainty created a drop in tourism, and the worst drought of the century caused sugar production to fall sharply. In contrast, sugar and tourism turned in strong performances in 1989, and the economy rebounded vigorously. In 1990 the economy received a setback from cyclone Sina, which cut sugar output by an estimated 21%. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.3 billion, per capita $1,700; real growth rate 3.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.0% (1991) Unemployment rate: 5.9% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $413 million; expenditures $464 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1992 est.) Exports: $646 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: sugar 40%, gold, clothing, copra, processed fish, lumber partners: EC 31%, Australia 21%, Japan 8%, US 6% Imports: $840 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 32%, food 15%, petroleum products, consumer goods, chemicals partners: Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EC 6%, US 6% External debt: $428 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 8.4% (1991 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP Electricity: 215,000 kW capacity; 330 million kWh produced, 430 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: sugar, tourism, copra, gold, silver, fishing, clothing, lumber, small cottage industries Agriculture: accounts for 23% of GDP; principal cash crop is sugarcane; coconuts, cassava, rice, sweet potatoes, and bananas; small livestock sector includes cattle, pigs, horses, and goats Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $815 million Currency: Fijian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 - 1.4855 (January 1992), 1.4756 (1991), 1.4809 (1990), 1.4833 (1989), 1.4303 (1988), 1.2439 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Fiji Communications:Fiji Communications Railroads: 644 km 0.610-meter narrow gauge, belonging to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation Highways: 3,300 km total (1984) - 1,590 km paved; 1,290 km gravel, crushed stone, or stabilized soil surface; 420 unimproved earth Inland waterways: 203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges Ports: Lambasa, Lautoka, Savusavu, Suva Merchant marine: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 40,072 GRT/47,187 DWT; includes 2 roll-on/roll-off, 2 container, 1 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 cargo Civil air: 1 DC-3 and 1 light aircraft Airports: 25 total, 22 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio center; important COMPAC cable link between US-Canada and New Zealand-Australia; 53,228 telephones; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 1 FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Fiji Defense Forces:Fiji Defense Forces Branches: Fiji Military Force (FMF; including a naval division, Police) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 192,056; 105,898 fit for military service; 7,564 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22.4 million, 1.7% of GDP (FY 91) :Finland Geography:Finland Geography Total area: 337,030 km2 Land area: 305,470 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: 2,628 km; Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km Coastline: 1,126 km; excludes islands and coastal indentations Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 6 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Territorial sea: 4 nm Disputes: none Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills Natural resources: timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver Land use: arable land 8%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 76%; other 16%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: permanently wet ground covers about 30% of land; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain Note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent :Finland People:Finland People Population: 5,004,273 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 80 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Finn(s); adjective - Finnish Ethnic divisions: Finn, Swede, Lapp, Gypsy, Tatar Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1% Languages: Finnish 93.5%, Swedish (both official) 6.3%; small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities Literacy: 100% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 2,533,000; 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% Organized labor: 80% of labor force :Finland Government:Finland Government Long-form name: Republic of Finland Type: republic Capital: Helsinki Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Ahvenanmaa, Hame, Keski-Suomi, Kuopio, Kymi, Lappi, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pohjois-Karjala, Turku ja Pori, Uusimaa, Vaasa Independence: 6 December 1917 (from Soviet Union) Constitution: 17 July 1919 Legal system: civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917) Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of State (Valtioneuvosto) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Eduskunta) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Korkein Oikeus) Leaders: Chief of State: President Mauno KOIVISTO (since 27 January 1982) Head of Government: Prime Minister Esko AHO (since 26 April 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Ilkka KANERVA (since 26 April 1991) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Parliament: last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1995); results - Center Party 24.8%, Social Democratic Party 22.1%, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 19.3%, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 10.1%, Green League 6.8%, Swedish People's Party 5.5%, Rural 4.8%, Finnish Christian League 3.1%, Liberal People's Party 0.8%; seats - (200 total) Center Party 55, Social Democratic Party 48, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 40, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 19, Swedish People's Party 12, Green League 10, Finnish Christian League 8, Rural 7, Liberal People's Party 1 President: last held 31 January - 1 February and 15 February 1988 (next to be held January 1994); results - Mauno KOIVISTO 48%, Paavo VAYRYNEN 20%, Harri HOLKERI 18% Communists: 28,000 registered members; an additional 45,000 persons belong to People's Democratic League Other political or pressure groups: Finnish Communist Party-Unity, Yrjo HAKANEN; Constitutional Rightist Party; Finnish Pensioners Party; Communist Workers Party, Timo LAHDENMAKI :Finland Government:Finland Government Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA (associate), FAO, G-9, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jukka VALTASAARI; Chancery at 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016; telephone (202) 363-2430; there are Finnish Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York, and Consulates in Chicago and Houston US: Ambassador John H. KELLY (as of December 1991); Embassy at Itainen Puistotie 14A, SF-00140, Helsinki (mailing address is 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:Finland Economy Overview: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free market economy, with per capita output nearly three-fourths the US figure. Its main economic force is the manufacturing sector - 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 imported raw materials, energy, and some components of manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic commodities. The economy, which experienced an average of 4.9% annual growth between 1987 and 1989, sank into a deep recession in 1991 as growth contracted by 6.2%. The recession - which is expected to bottom out in late 1992 - has been caused by economic overheating, depressed foreign markets, and the dismantling of the barter system between Finland and the former Soviet Union in 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 foreign investment and exchange liberalization. Helsinki tied the markkaa to the EC's European Currency Unit to promote stability but was forced to devalue the markkaa by about 12% in November 1991. The devaluation should improve industrial competitiveness and business confidence in 1992. Finland, as a member of EFTA, negotiated a European Economic Area arrangement with the EC that allows for free movement of capital, goods, services, and labor within the organization as of January 1993. Finland applied for full EC membership in March 1992. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $80.6 billion, per capita $16,200; real growth rate - 6.2% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1991) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (1991) Budget: revenues $35.8 billion; expenditures $41.5 billion, including capital expenditures of NA billion (1991) Exports: $22.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: timber, paper and pulp, ships, machinery, clothing and footwear partners: EC 50.25%, Germany 15.5%, UK 10.4%, EFTA 20.7%, Sweden 14%, US 6.1%, Japan 1.5%, USSR/EE 6.71% (1991) Imports: $21.6 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, fodder grains partners: EC 45.9% (Germany 16.9%), UK 7.7%, EFTA 19.9%, Sweden 12.3%, US 6.9%, Japan 6%, USSR/EE 10.7% External debt: $5.3 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate - 8.6% (1991 est.) Electricity: 13,324,000 kW capacity; 49,330 million kWh produced, 9,857 kWh per capita (1991) :Finland Economy:Finland Economy Industries: metal products, shipbuilding, forestry and wood processing (pulp, paper), copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing Agriculture: accounts for 8% of GDP (including forestry); livestock production, especially dairy cattle, predominates; forestry is an important export earner and a secondary occupation for the rural population; main crops - cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; 85% self-sufficient, but short of foodgrains and fodder grains; annual fish catch about 160,000 metric tons Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $2.7 billion Currency: markka (plural - markkaa); 1 markka (FMk) or Finmark = 100 pennia Exchange rates: markkaa (FMk) per US$1 - 4.2967 (January 1992), 4.0440 (1991), 3.8235 (1990), 4.2912 (1989), 4.1828 (1988), 4.3956 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Finland Communications:Finland Communications Railroads: 5,924 km total; Finnish State Railways (VR) operate a total of 5,863 km 1.524-meter gauge, of which 480 km are multiple track and 1,445 km are electrified Highways: about 103,000 km total, including 35,000 km paved (bituminous, concrete, bituminous-treated surface) and 38,000 km unpaved (stabilized gravel, gravel, earth); additional 30,000 km of private (state-subsidized) roads Inland waterways: 6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 km suitable for steamers Pipelines: natural gas 580 km Ports: Helsinki, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku; 6 secondary, numerous minor ports Merchant marine: 80 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 794,094 GRT/732,585 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 9 short-sea passenger, 16 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 26 roll-on/roll-off, 12 petroleum tanker, 6 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 7 bulk Civil air: 42 major transport Airports: 159 total, 156 usable; 58 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 23 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good service from cable and radio relay network; 3,140,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 105 FM, 235 TV; 1 submarine cable; INTELSAT satellite transmission service via Swedish earth station and a receive-only INTELSAT earth station near Helsinki :Finland Defense Forces:Finland Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (including Coast Guard) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,314,305; 1,087,286 fit for military service; 33,053 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.8 billion, 1.6% of GDP (1989 est.) :France Geography:France Geography Total area: 547,030 km2 Land area: 545,630 km2; includes Corsica and the rest of metropolitan France, but excludes the overseas administrative divisions Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Colorado Land boundaries: 2,892.4 km; Andorra 60 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km Coastline: 3,427 km; mainland 2,783 km, Corsica 644 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12-24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; Seychelles claims Tromelin Island; Suriname claims part of French Guiana; Mexico claims Clipperton Island; territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land) Climate: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean Terrain: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east 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%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: most of large urban areas and industrial centers in Rhone, Garonne, Seine, or Loire River basins; occasional warm tropical wind known as mistral Note: largest West European nation :France People:France People Population: 57,287,258 (July 1992), growth rate 0.5% (1992) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 82 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women); adjective - French Ethnic divisions: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, and Basque minorities Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim (North African workers) 1%, unaffiliated 6% Languages: French (100% of population); rapidly declining regional dialects (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 24,170,000; services 61.5%, industry 31.3%, agriculture 7.3% (1987) Organized labor: 20% of labor force (est.) :France Government:France Government Long-form name: French Republic Type: republic Capital: Paris Administrative divisions: metropolitan France - 22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes; note - the 22 regions are subdivided into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon) Independence: unified by Clovis in 486, First Republic proclaimed in 1792 Constitution: 28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962 Dependent areas: Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but not legislative acts National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlement) consists of an upper house or Senate (Senat) and a lower house or National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (Cour Constitutionnelle) Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Prime Minister Pierre BEREGOVOY (since 2 April 1992) Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR, formerly UDR), Jacques CHIRAC; Union for French Democracy (UDF, federation of PR, CDS, and RAD), Valery Giscard d'ESTAING; Republican Party (PR), Gerard LONGUET; Center for Social Democrats (CDS), Pierre MEHAIGNERIE; Radical (RAD), Yves GALLAND; Socialist Party (PS), Laurent FABIUS; Left Radical Movement (MRG), Emile ZUCCARELLI; Communist Party (PCF), Georges MARCHAIS; National Front (FN), Jean-Marie LE PEN Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Assembly: last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - Second Ballot PS-MRG 48. 7%, RPR 23.1%, UDF 21%, PCF 3.4%, other 3.8%; seats - (577 total) PS 272, RPR 127, UDF 91, UDC 40, PCF 26, independents 21 :France Government:France Government President: last held 8 May 1988 (next to be held May 1995); results - Second Ballot Francois MITTERRAND 54%, Jacques CHIRAC 46% Elections: Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (321 total; 296 metropolitan France, 13 for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad) RPR 91, UDF 143 (PR 52, CDS 68, RAD 23), PS 66, PCF 16, independents 2, unknown 3 Communists: 700,000 claimed but probably closer to 150,000; Communist voters, 2.8 million in 1988 election Other political or pressure groups: Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) nearly 2.4 million members (claimed); Socialist-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT) about 800,000 members est.; independent labor union (Force Ouvriere) 1 million members (est.); independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) 340,000 members (claimed); National Council of French Employers (Conseil National du Patronat Francais - CNPF or Patronat) Member of: ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CDB, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, FZ, GATT, G-5, G-7, G-10, IABD, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UN Trusteeship Council, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jacques ANDREANI; Chancery at 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 944-6000; there are French Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US: Ambassador Walter J. P. CURLEY; Embassy at 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08, Unit 21551 (mailing address is APO AE 09777); telephone [33] (1) 42-96-12-02 or 42-61-80-75; FAX [33] (1) 42-66-97-83; there are US Consulates General in Bordeaux, Marseille, and Strasbourg Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Ivory Coast, and Luxembourg; the official flag for all French dependent areas :France Economy:France Economy Overview: One of the world's most developed economies, France has substantial agricultural resources and a highly 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. France is largely self-sufficient in agricultural products and 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. After expanding at a rapid 3.8% pace during the period 1988-89, the economy slowed down in 1990, with growth of 1.5% in 1990 and 1.4% in 1991; growth in 1992 is expected to be about 2%. The economy has had difficulty generating enough jobs for new entrants into the labor force, resulting in a high unemployment rate, which rose to almost 10% in 1991. The steadily advancing economic integration within the European Community is a major force affecting the fortunes of the various economic sectors. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $1,033.7 billion, per capita $18,300; real growth rate 1.4% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.8% (end 1991) Budget: revenues $229.8 billion; expenditures $246.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $36 billion (1992 budget) Exports: $209.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, agricultural products, iron and steel products, textiles and clothing partners: FRG 17.3%, Italy 11.4%, UK 9.2%, Spain 10.3%, Netherlands 9.0%, Belgium-Luxembourg 9.4%, US 6.1%, Japan 1.9%, former USSR 0.7% (1989 est.) Imports: $232.5 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, iron and steel products partners: FRG 18.9%, Italy 11.6%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8.8%, Netherlands 8.6%, US 8.0%, Spain 7.9%, UK 7.2%, Japan 4.0%, former USSR 1.4% (1989 est.) External debt: $59.3 billion (December 1987) Industrial production: growth rate 1.2% (1990); accounts for 26% of GDP Electricity: 109,972,000 kW capacity; 399,318 million kWh produced, 7,200 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, and 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 :France Economy:France Economy Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $75.1 billion Currency: French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.3801 (January 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :France Communications:France Communications Railroads: French National Railways (SNCF) operates 34,568 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; 11,674 km electrified, 15,132 km double or multiple track; 2,138 km of various gauges (1.000-meter to 1.440-meter), privately owned and operated Highways: 1,551,400 km total; 33,400 km national highway; 347,000 km departmental highway; 421,000 km community roads; 750,000 km rural roads; 5,401 km of controlled-access divided autoroutes; about 803,000 km paved Inland waterways: 14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveled Pipelines: crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural gas 24,746 km Ports: maritime - Bordeaux, Boulogne, Brest, Cherbourg, Dunkerque, Fos-Sur-Mer, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Rouen, Sete, Toulon; inland - 42 Merchant marine: 128 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,222,539 GRT/5,117,091 DWT; includes 6 short-sea passenger, 11 cargo, 18 container, 1 multifunction large-load carrier, 30 roll-on/roll-off, 34 petroleum tanker, 8 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 2 specialized tanker, 11 bulk, 1 refrigerated cargo; note - France also maintains a captive register for French-owned ships in the Kerguelen Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) and French Polynesia Civil air: 195 major transport aircraft (1989 est.) Airports: 472 total, 460 usable; 251 with permanent-surface runways; 3 with runways over 3,659 m; 36 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 136 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: highly developed; extensive cable and radio relay networks; large-scale introduction of optical-fiber systems; satellite systems for domestic traffic; 39,200,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 41 AM, 800 (mostly repeaters) FM, 846 (mostly repeaters) TV; 24 submarine coaxial cables; 2 INTELSAT earth stations (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for the Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 3 for the Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT); HF radio communications with more than 20 countries; INMARSAT service; EUTELSAT TV service :France Defense Forces:France Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including Naval Air), Air Force, National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 14,599,636; 12,225,969 fit for military service; 411,211 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $33.1 billion, 3.4% of GDP (1991) :French Guiana Geography:French Guiana Geography Total area: 91,000 km2 Land area: 89,150 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: 1,183 km; Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km Coastline: 378 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 82%; other 18% Environment: mostly an unsettled wilderness :French Guiana People:French Guiana People Population: 127,505 (July 1992), growth rate 4.6% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 24 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - French Guianese (singular and plural); adjective - French Guianese; note - they are a colony/department; they hold French passports Ethnic divisions: black or mulatto 66%; Caucasian 12%; East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%; other 10% Religions: predominantly Roman Catholic Languages: French Literacy: 82% (male 81%, female 83%) age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: 23,265; services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980) Organized labor: 7% of labor force :French Guiana Government:French Guiana Government Long-form name: Department of Guiana Type: overseas department of France Capital: Cayenne Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: French president, commissioner of the republic Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Council Judicial branch: highest local court is the Court of Appeals based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Commissioner of the Republic Jean-Francois DICHIARA (since NA 1990) Political parties and leaders: Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), Gerard HOLDER; Rally for the Republic (RPR), Paulin BRUNE; Guianese Democratic Action (ADG), Andre LECANTE; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Claude Ho A CHUCK; National Front (FN), Guy MALON; Popular and National Party of Guiana (PNPG), Claude ROBO; National Anti-Colonist Guianese Party (PANGA), Michel KAPEL Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: French National Assembly: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) PSG 1, RPR 1 French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PSG 1 Regional Council: last held 16 March 1986 (next to be held NA 1991); results - PSG 43%, RPR 27.7%, ADG 12.2%, UDF 8. 9%, FN 3.7%, PNPG 1.4%, other 3.1%; seats - (31 total) PSG 15, RPR 9, ADG 4, UDF 3 Member of: FZ, WCL, WFTU Diplomatic representation: as an overseas department of France, the interests of French Guiana are represented in the US by France Flag: the flag of France is used :French Guiana Economy: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 1987. 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 - are limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $186 million, per capita $2,240; real growth rate NA% (1985) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1987) Unemployment rate: 15% (1987) Budget: revenues $735 million; expenditures $735 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1987) Exports: $54.0 million (f.o.b., 1987) commodities: shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essence partners: France 31%, US 22%, Japan 10% (1987) Imports: $394.0 million (c.i.f., 1987) commodities: food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods, petroleum partners: France 62%, Trinidad and Tobago 9%, US 4%, FRG 3% (1987) External debt: $1.2 billion (1988) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 92,000 kW capacity; 185 million kWh produced, 1,821 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining Agriculture: some vegetables for local consumption; rice, corn, manioc, cocoa, bananas, sugar; livestock - cattle, pigs, poultry Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.51 billion Currency: French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.3801 (January 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :French Guiana Communications:French Guiana Communications Highways: 680 km total; 510 km paved, 170 km improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: 460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river and coastal steamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craft Ports: Cayenne Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 10 total, 10 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair open-wire and radio relay system; 18,100 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 FM, 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :French Guiana Defense Forces:French Guiana Defense Forces Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49 37,467; 24,534 fit for military service Note: defense is the responsibility of France :French Polynesia Geography:French Polynesia Geography Total area: 3,941 km2 Land area: 3,660 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: none Coastline: 2,525 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: occasional cyclonic storm in January; includes five archipelagoes Note: Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru :French Polynesia People:French Polynesia People Population: 205,620 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992) Birth rate: 28 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 15 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 73 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - French Polynesian(s); adjective - French Polynesian Ethnic divisions: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Religions: mainly Christian; Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16% Languages: French and Tahitian (both official) Literacy: 98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 14 and over but definition of literacy not available (1977) Labor force: 76,630 employed (1988) Organized labor: NA :French Polynesia Government:French Polynesia Government Long-form name: Territory of French Polynesia Type: overseas territory of France since 1946 Capital: Papeete Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent; note - Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia Independence: none (overseas territory of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: based on French system National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: French president, high commissioner of the republic, president of the Council of Ministers, vice president of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); High Commissioner of the Republic Jean MONTPEZAT (since November 1987) Head of Government: President of the Council of Ministers Gaston FLOSSE (since 10 May 1991); Vice President of the Council of Ministers Joel BUILLARD (since 12 September 1991) Political parties and leaders: People's Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira; Gaullist), Gaston FLOSSE; Polynesian Union Party (Te Tiarama; centrist), Alexandre LEONTIEFF; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api), Emile VERNAUDON; Polynesian Liberation Front (Tavini Huiraatira), Oscar TEMARU; other small parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Assembly last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) People's Rally (Gaullist) 1, New Fatherland Party 1 French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) party NA Territorial Assembly: last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) People's Rally (Gaullist) 18, Polynesian Union Party 14, New Fatherland Party 5, other 4 Member of: FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO Diplomatic representation: as an overseas territory of France, French Polynesian interests are represented in the US by France :French Polynesia Government:French Polynesia Government Flag: the flag of France is used :French Polynesia Economy: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. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.2 billion, per capita $6,000; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1989) Unemployment rate: 14.9% (1988 est.) Budget: revenues $614 million; expenditures $957 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988) Exports: $88.9 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: coconut products 79%, mother-of-pearl 14%, vanilla, shark meat partners: France 54%, US 17%, Japan 17% Imports: $765 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, equipment partners: France 53%, US 11%, Australia 6%, NZ 5% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 72,000 kW capacity; 265 million kWh produced, 1,390 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts Agriculture: coconut and vanilla plantations; vegetables and fruit; poultry, beef, dairy products Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $3.95 billion Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural - francs); 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 97.81 (January 1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27 (1987); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year :French Polynesia Communications:French Polynesia Communications Highways: 600 km (1982) Ports: Papeete, Bora-bora Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,128 GRT/6,710 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo; note - a captive subset of the French register Civil air: about 6 major transport aircraft Airports: 43 total, 41 usable; 23 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 33,200 telephones; 84,000 radio receivers; 26,400 TV sets; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 2 FM, 6 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station :French Polynesia Defense Forces:French Polynesia Defense Forces Branches: French forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 50,844; NA fit for military service Note: defense is responsibility of France :French Southern and Antarctic Lands Geography:French Southern and Antarctic Lands Geography Total area: 7,781 km2 Land area: 7,781 km2; includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Crozet; excludes Terre Adelie claim of about 500,000 km2 in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Delaware Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,232 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (Iles Kerguelen only) Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US 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% Environment: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes Note: located in the southern Indian Ocean about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia :French Southern and Antarctic Lands People:French Southern and Antarctic Lands People Population: summer (January 1991) - 200, winter (July 1992) - 150, growth rate 0.0% (1992); note - mostly researchers :French Southern and Antarctic Lands Government:French Southern and Antarctic Lands Government Long-form name: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands Type: overseas territory of France since 1955; governed by High Administrator Bernard de GOUTTES (since May 1990), who is assisted by a 7-member Consultative Council and a 12-member Scientific Council Capital: none; administered from Paris, France Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Flag: the flag of France is used :French Southern and Antarctic Lands Economy: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 fishing catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. Budget: $33.6 million (1990) :French Southern and Antarctic Lands Communications:French Southern and Antarctic Lands Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 192,752 GRT/334,400 DWT; includes 1 cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 petroleum tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 2 bulk, 1 multifunction large load carrier; note - a captive subset of the French register Telecommunications: NA :French Southern and Antarctic Lands Defense Forces:French Southern and Antarctic Lands Defense Forces Branches: French Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force) Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Gabon Geography:Gabon Geography Total area: 267,670 km2 Land area: 257,670 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Colorado Land boundaries: 2,551 km; Cameroon 298 km, Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km Coastline: 885 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Guinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south Natural resources: crude oil, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 18%; forest and woodland 78%; other 2% Environment: deforestation :Gabon People:Gabon People Population: 1,106,355 (July 1992), growth rate 1.5% (1992) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 100 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 51 years male, 56 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Gabonese (singular and plural); adjective - Gabonese Ethnic divisions: about 40 Bantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou, Bateke); about 100,000 expatriate Africans and Europeans, including 27,000 French Religions: Christian 55-75%, Muslim less than 1%, remainder animist Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi Literacy: 61% (male 74%, female 48%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 120,000 salaried; agriculture 65.0%, industry and commerce 30.0%, services 2.5%, government 2.5%; 58% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: there are 38,000 members of the national trade union, the Gabonese Trade Union Confederation (COSYGA) :Gabon Government:Gabon Government Long-form name: Gabonese Republic Type: republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990) Capital: Libreville Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France) Constitution: 21 February 1961, revised 15 April 1975 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; compulsory ICJ jurisdiction not accepted National holiday: Renovation Day (Gabonese Democratic Party established), 12 March (1968) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967) Head of Government: Prime Minister Casimir OYE-MBA (since 3 May 1990) Political parties and leaders: Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG, former sole party), El Hadj Omar BONGO, president; National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons); Gabonese Party for Progress (PGP); National Recovery Movement (Morena-Original); Association for Socialism in Gabon (APSG); Gabonese Socialist Union (USG); Circle for Renewal and Progress (CRP); Union for Democracy and Development (UDD) Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: National Assembly: last held on 28 October 1990 (next to be held by NA); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (120 total, 111 elected) PDG 62, National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons) 19, PGP 18, National Recovery Movement (Morena-Original) 7, APSG 6, USG 4, CRP 1, independents 3 President: last held on 9 November 1986 (next to be held December 1993); results - President Omar BONGO was reelected without opposition Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador-designate Alexandre SAMBAT; Chancery at 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 797-1000 :Gabon Government:Gabon Government US: Ambassador Keith L. WAUCHOPE; Embassy at Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville (mailing address is B. P. 4000, Libreville); telephone (241) 762003/4, or 743492 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue :Gabon Economy:Gabon Economy Overview: The economy, dependent on timber and manganese until the early 1970s, is now dominated by the oil sector. During the period 1981-85, oil accounted for about 46% of GDP, 83% of export earnings, and 65% of government revenues on average. The high oil prices of the early 1980s contributed to a substantial increase in per capita income, stimulated domestic demand, reinforced migration from rural to urban areas, and raised the level of real wages to among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The three-year slide of Gabon's economy, which began with falling oil prices in 1985, was reversed in 1989 because of a near doubling of oil prices over their 1988 lows. In 1990 the economy posted strong growth despite serious strikes, but debt servicing problems are hindering economic advancement. The agricultural and industrial sectors are relatively underdeveloped, except for oil. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $3.3 billion, per capita $3,090; real growth rate 13% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1989 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $1.1 billion; expenditures $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $277 million (1990 est.) Exports: $1.16 billion (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: crude oil 70%, manganese 11%, wood 12%, uranium 6% partners: France 53%, US 22%, FRG, Japan Imports: $0.78 billion (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products, construction materials, manufactures, machinery partners: France 48%, US 2.6%, FRG, Japan, UK External debt: $3.4 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -10% (1988 est.) Electricity: 315,000 kW capacity; 995 million kWh produced, 920 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, food and beverages, timber, cement, plywood, textiles, mining - manganese, uranium, gold Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); cash crops - cocoa, coffee, palm oil; livestock not developed; importer of food; small fishing operations provide a catch of about 20,000 metric tons; okoume (a tropical softwood) is the most important timber product Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $66 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2,225 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $27 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes :Gabon Economy:Gabon Economy Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Gabon Communications:Gabon Communications Railroads: 649 km 1.437-meter standard-gauge single track (Transgabonese Railroad) Highways: 7,500 km total; 560 km paved, 960 km laterite, 5,980 km earth Inland waterways: 1,600 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 km Ports: Owendo, Port-Gentil, Libreville Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,563 GRT/25,330 DWT Civil air: 15 major transport aircraft Airports: 70 total, 59 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate system of cable, radio relay, tropospheric scatter links and radiocommunication stations; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 6 FM, 3 (5 repeaters) TV; satellite earth stations - 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 12 domestic satellite :Gabon Defense Forces:Gabon Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 267,580; 134,665 fit for military service; 9,262 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $102 million, 3.2% of GDP (1990 est.) :The Gambia Geography:The Gambia Geography Total area: 11,300 km2 Land area: 10,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Delaware Land boundaries: 740 km; Senegal 740 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 18 nm Continental shelf: not specific Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: short section of boundary with Senegal is indefinite Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 16%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 9%; forest and woodland 20%; other 55%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: deforestation Note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa :The Gambia People:The Gambia People Population: 902,089 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992) Birth rate: 47 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 17 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 129 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 47 years male, 51 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Gambian(s); adjective - Gambian Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%); non-Gambian 1% Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: English (official); Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars Literacy: 27% (male 39%, female 16%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 400,000 (1986 est.); agriculture 75.0%, industry, commerce, and services 18.9%, government 6.1%; 55% population of working age (1983) Organized labor: 25-30% of wage labor force :The Gambia Government:The Gambia Government Long-form name: Republic of The Gambia Type: republic under multiparty democratic rule Capital: Banjul Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank, Upper River, Western Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK); The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 (effective 1 February 1982) that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba JAWARA (since 24 April 1970); Vice President Bakary Bunja DARBO (since 12 May 1982) Political parties and leaders: People's Progressive Party (PPP), Dawda K. JAWARA, secretary general; National Convention Party (NCP), Sheriff DIBBA; Gambian People's Party (GPP), Hassan Musa CAMARA; United Party (UP), leader NA; People's Democratic Organization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), leader NA; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jabel SALLAH Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: House of Representatives: last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be held by March 1992); results - PPP 56.6%, NCP 27.6%, GPP 14.7%, PDOIS 1%; seats - (43 total, 36 elected) PPP 31, NCP 5 President: last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be held March 1992); results - Sir Dawda JAWARA (PPP) 61.1%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 25.2%, Assan Musa CAMARA (GPP) 13.7% Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ousman A. SALLAH; Chancery at Suite 720, 1030 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005; telephone (202) 842-1356 or 842-1359 US: Ambassador Arlene RENDER; Embassy at Pipeline Road (Kairaba Avenue), Fajara, Banjul (mailing address is P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul); telephone Serrekunda [220] 92856 or 92858, 91970, 91971 :The Gambia Government:The Gambia Government Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green :The Gambia Economy:The Gambia Economy Overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. It is one of the world's poorest countries with a per capita income of about $230. 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. Tourism is a growing industry. The Gambia imports one-third of its food, all fuel, and most manufactured goods. Exports are concentrated on peanut products (about 75% of total value). GDP: exchange rate conversion - $207 million, per capita $235; real growth rate 3% (FY91 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.0% (FY91) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $79 million; expenditures $84 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (FY90) Exports: $116 million (f.o.b., FY90) commodities: peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels partners: Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1, other 5% (1989) Imports: $147 million (f.o.b., FY90) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transport equipment partners: Europe 57%, Asia 25%, USSR/EE 9%, US 6%, other 3% (1989) External debt: $336 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6.7%; accounts for 5.8% of GDP (FY90) Electricity: 30,000 kW capacity; 65 million kWh produced, 75 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: peanut processing, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing Agriculture: accounts for 30% of GDP and employs about 75% of the population; imports one-third of food requirements; major export crop is peanuts; the other principal crops - millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava, palm kernels; livestock - cattle, sheep, and goats; forestry and fishing resources not fully exploited Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $93 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $535 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $39 million Currency: dalasi (plural - dalasi); 1 dalasi (D) = 100 bututs Exchange rates: dalasi (D) per US$1 - 8.790 (March 1992), 8.803 (1991), 7.883 (1990), 7.5846 (1989), 6.7086 (1988), 7.0744 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :The Gambia Communications:The Gambia Communications Highways: 3,083 km total; 431 km paved, 501 km gravel/laterite, and 2,151 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 400 km Ports: Banjul Civil air: 4 major transport aircraft Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: adequate network of radio relay and wire; 3,500 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :The Gambia Defense Forces:The Gambia Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, National Gendarmerie, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 194,480; 98,271 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - more than $1 million, 0.7% of GDP (1989) \ :Gaza Strip Geography:Gaza Strip Geography Total area: 380 km2 Land area: 380 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 62 km; Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: Israeli occupied with status to be determined Disputes: Israeli occupied with status to be determined 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% Environment: desertification Note: The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. As stated in the 1978 Camp David accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post - Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty be-tween Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. Camp David further specifies that these negotiations will resolve the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has yet to be determined. In the US view, the term West Bank describes all of the area west of the Jordan River under Jordanian administration before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. With respect to negotiations envisaged in the framework agreement, however, it is US policy that a distinction must be made between Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because of the city's special status and circumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for the final status of Jerusalem could be different in character from that of the rest of the West Bank. The Gaza Strip is currently governed by Israeli military authorities and Israeli civil administration; it is US policy that the final status of the Gaza Strip will be determined by negotiations among the concerned parties; these negotiations will determine how this area is to be governed. There are 18 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. :Gaza Strip People:Gaza Strip People Population: 681,026 (July 1992), growth rate 3.6% (1992); in addition, there are 4,000 Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip (1992 est.) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: - 4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 41 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 68 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: NA Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 99.8%, Jewish 0.2% Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.3% Languages: Arabic, Israeli settlers speak Hebrew; English widely understood Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: (excluding Israeli Jewish settlers) small industry, commerce and business 32.0%, construction 24.4%, service and other 25.5%, and agriculture 18.1% (1984) Organized labor: NA :Gaza Strip Government:Gaza Strip Government Long-form name: none :Gaza Strip Economy:Gaza Strip Economy Overview: In 1990 roughly 40% of Gaza Strip workers were employed across the border by Israeli industrial, construction, and agricultural enterprises, with worker remittances accounting for about one-third of GNP. The construction, agricultural, and industrial sectors account for about 15%, 12%, and 8% of GNP, respectively. Gaza depends upon Israel for some 90% of its external trade. Unrest in the territory in 1988-92 (intifadah) has raised unemployment and substantially lowered the standard of living of Gazans. The Persian Gulf crisis and its aftershocks also have dealt severe blows to Gaza since August 1990. Worker remittances from the Gulf states have plunged, unemployment has increased, and exports have fallen dramatically. The area's economic outlook remains bleak. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $380 million, per capita $590; real growth rate - 30% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues $33.8 million; expenditures $33.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY88) Exports: $30 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: citrus partners: Israel, Egypt Imports: $255 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials partners: Israel, Egypt External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 10% (1989); accounts for about 8% of GNP 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: accounts for about 12% of GNP; olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables, beef, dairy products Economic aid: NA Currency: new Israeli shekel (plural - shekels); 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.2984 (January 1992), 2.2792 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987) Fiscal year: previously 1 April - 31 March; FY91 was 1 April - 3l December, and since 1 January 1992 the fiscal year has conformed to the calendar year :Gaza Strip Communications:Gaza Strip Communications Railroads: one line, abandoned and in disrepair, some trackage remains Highways: small, poorly developed indigenous road network Ports: facilities for small boats to service the city of Gaza Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway less than 1,220 m Telecommunications: broadcast stations - no AM, no FM, no TV :Gaza Strip Defense Forces:Gaza Strip Defense Forces Branches: NA Manpower availability: males 15-49, 136,311; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Georgia Geography:Georgia Geography Total area: 69,700 km2 Land area: 69,700 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than South Carolina Land boundaries: 1,461 km; Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km Coastline: 310 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental Shelf: NA meter depth Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Territorial sea: NA nm, Georgian claims unknown; 12 nm in 1973 USSR-Turkish Protocol concerning the sea boundary between the two states in the Black Sea 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; Colchis lowland opens to the Black Sea in the west; Kura River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Colchis 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: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes 200,000 hectares irrigated Environment: air pollution, particularly in Rustavi; heavy pollution of Kura River, Black Sea :Georgia People:Georgia People Population: 5,570,978 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 17 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 34 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Georgian(s); adjective - Georgian Ethnic divisions: Georgian 68.8%, Armenian 9.0%, Russian Azari 5.1%, Ossetian 3.2%, Abkhaz 1.7%, other 4.8% Religions: Russian Orthodox 10%, Georgian Orthodox 65%, Armenian Orthodox 8%, Muslim 11%, unknown 6% Languages: Georgian (official language) 71%, Russian 9%, other 20% - Armenian 7%, Azerbaijani 6% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 2,834,000; agriculture 29.1% (1988), government NA%, industry 17.8%, other 53.1% Organized labor: NA :Georgia Government:Georgia Government Long-form name: Republic of Georgia Type: republic Capital: T'bilisi (Tbilisi) Administrative divisions: 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abkhazia (Sukhumi), Ajaria (Batumi); 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; also included is the South Ossetia Autonomous Oblast Independence: 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union); formerly Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic Constitution: adopted NA, effective NA Legal system: NA National holiday: Independence Day, 9 April 1991 Executive branch: State Council, chairman of State Council, Council of Ministers, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Soviet Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Chairman of State Council Eduard SHEVARDNADZE (since March 1992) Head of Government: Acting Prime Minister Tengiz SIGUA (since January 1992); First Deputy Prime Minister Otar KVILITAYA (since January 1992); First Deputy Prime Minister Tengiz KITOVANI (since March 1992) Political parties and leaders: All-Georgian Merab Kostava Society, Vazha ADAMIA, chairman; All-Georgian Tradionalists' Union, Akakiy ASATIANI, chairman; Georgian National Front - Radical Union, Ruslan GONGADZE, chairman; Social-Democratic Party, Guram MUCHAIDZE, chairman; All-Georgian Rustaveli Society, Akakiy BAKRADZE, chairman; Georgian Monarchists' Party, Teymur JORJOLIANI, chairman; Georgian Popular Front, Nodar NATADZE, chairman; National Democratic Party, Georgiy CHANTURIA, chairman; National Independence Party, Irakliy TSERETELI, chairman; Charter 1991 Party, Tedo PAATASHVILI, chairman; Democratic Georgia Party, Georgiy SHENGELAYA, Chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Georgian Parliament: last held November 1990; results - 7-party coalition Round Table - Free Georgia 62%, other 38%; seats - (250) Round Table - Free Georgia 155, other 95 President: Zviad GAMSAKHURDIYA, 87% of vote Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CSCE, IMF, World Bank :Georgia Government:Georgia Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador NA, Chancery at NA NW, Washington, DC 200__; telephone (202) NA US: Ambassador NA; Embassy at NA (mailing address is APO New York 09862) Flag: maroon field with small rectangle in upper left corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below :Georgia Economy:Georgia Economy Overview: Among the former Soviet republics, Georgia is noted for its Black Sea tourist industry, its large output of citrus fruits and tea, and the amazing diversity of an industrial sector that accounted, however, for less than 2% of the USSR's output. Another salient characteristic of the economy has been a flourishing private sector (compared with the other republics). Almost 30% of the labor force is employed in agriculture and 18% in industry. Mineral resources consist of manganese and copper, and, to a lesser extent, molybdenum, arsenic, tungsten, and mercury. Except for very small quantities of domestic oil, gas, and coal, fuel must be imported from neighboring republics. Oil and its products are delivered by pipeline from Azerbaijan to the port of Batumi for export and local refining. Gas is supplied in pipelines from Krasnodar and Stavropol'. Georgia is nearly self-sufficient in electric power, thanks to abundant hydropower stations as well as some thermal power stations. The dismantling of central economic controls is being delayed by political factionalism, marked by armed struggles between the elected government and the opposition, and industrial output seems to have fallen more steeply in Georgia in 1991 than in any other of the former Soviet republics. To prevent further economic decline, Georgia must establish domestic peace and must maintain economic ties to the other former Soviet republics while developing new links to the West. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $NA; per capita $NA; real growth rate - 23% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): approximately 90% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA million (1991) Exports: $176 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: citrus fruits, tea, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles partners: NA Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and parts, fuel, transport equipment, textiles partners: NA External debt: $650 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate - 19% (1991) Electricity: 4,575,000 kW capacity; 15,300 million kWh produced, about 2,600 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: Heavy industrial products include raw steel, rolled steel, cement, lumber; machine tools, foundry equipment, electric mining locomotives, tower cranes, electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation, meat packing, dairy, and fishing industries; air-conditioning electric motors up to 100 kW in size, electric motors for cranes, magnetic starters for motors; devices for control of industrial processes; trucks, tractors, and other farm machinery; light industrial products, including cloth, hosiery, and shoes :Georgia Economy:Georgia Economy Agriculture: accounted for 97% of former USSR citrus fruits and 93% of former USSR tea; berries and grapes; sugar; vegetables, grains, and potatoes; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and poultry Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $NA billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Georgia Communications:Georgia Communications Railroads: 1,570 km, does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 33,900 km total; 29,500 km hard surfaced, 4,400 km earth (1990) Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil NA km, refined products NA km, natural gas NA km Ports: maritime - Batumi, Poti; inland - NA Merchant marine: 54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 715,802 GRT/1,108,068 DWT; includes 16 bulk cargo, 34 oil tanker, 2 chemical tanker, and 2 specialized liquid carrier Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: NA total, NA usable; NA with permanent-surface runways; NA with runways over 3,659 m; NA with runways 2,440-3,659 m; NA with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor telephone service; 339,000 unsatisfied applications for telephones (31 January 1992); international links via landline to CIS members and Turkey; low capacity satellite earth station and leased international connections via the Moscow international gateway switch :Georgia Defense Forces:Georgia Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground, Navy, Air, and Air Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GNP :Germany Geography:Germany Geography Total area: 356,910 km2 Land area: 349,520 km2; comprises the formerly separate Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, and Berlin following formal unification on 3 October 1990 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: 3,790 km; Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czechoslovakia 815 km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km Coastline: 2,389 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: North Sea and Schleswig-Holstein coast of Baltic Sea - 3 nm (extends, at one point, to 16 nm in the Helgolander Bucht); remainder of Baltic Sea - 12 nm Disputes: the boundaries of Germany were set by the Treaty on the Final Settlement With Respect to Germany signed 12 September 1990 in Moscow by the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union; this Treaty entered into force on 15 March 1991; a subsequent Treaty between Germany and Poland, reaffirming the German-Polish boundary, was signed on 14 November 1990 and took effect on 16 January 1992 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%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: air and water pollution; groundwater, lakes, and air quality in eastern Germany are especially bad; significant deforestation in the eastern mountains caused by air pollution and acid rain Note: strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea :Germany People:Germany People Population: 80,387,283 (July 1992), growth rate 0.5% (1992) Birth rate: 11 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - German(s); adjective - German Ethnic divisions: primarily German; small Danish and Slavic minorities Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 37%, unaffiliated or other 18% Languages: German Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.) Labor force: 36,750,000; industry 41%, agriculture 6%, other 53% (1987) Organized labor: 47% of labor force (1986 est.) :Germany Government:Germany Government Long-form name: Federal Republic of Germany Type: federal republic Capital: Berlin; note - the shift from Bonn to Berlin will take place over a period of years with Bonn retaining many administrative functions and several ministries Administrative divisions: 16 states (lander, singular - land); Baden-Wurttemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringen 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 Constitution: 23 May 1949, provisional constitution known as Basic Law Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: German Unity Day, 3 October (1990) Executive branch: president, chancellor, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral parliament (no official name for the two chambers as a whole) consists of an upper chamber or Federal Council (Bundesrat) and a lower chamber or Federal Diet (Bundestag) Judicial branch: Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) Leaders: Chief of State: President Dr. Richard von WEIZSACKER (since 1 July 1984) Head of Government: Chancellor Dr. Helmut KOHL (since 4 October 1982) *** No entry for this item *** Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Helmut KOHL, chairman; Christian Social Union (CSU), Theo WAIGEL; Free Democratic Party (FDP), Otto Count LAMBSDORFF, chairman; Social Democratic Party (SPD), Bjoern ENGHOLM, - chairman; - Green - Party - Ludger VOLMER, Christine WEISKE, co-chairmen (after the 2 December 1990 election the East and West German Green Parties united); Alliance 90 united to form one party in September 1991, Petra MORAWE, chairwoman; Republikaner, Franz SCHOENHUBER; National Democratic Party (NPD), Walter BACHMANN; Communist Party (DKP), Rolf PRIEMER Suffrage: universal at age 18 :Germany Government:Germany Government Elections: Federal Diet: last held 2 December 1990 (next to be held October 1994); results - CDU 36.7%, SPD 33.5%, FDP 11.0%, CSU 7.1%, Green Party (West Germany) 3.9%, PDS 2.4%, Republikaner 2.1%, Alliance 90/Green Party (East Germany) 1.2%, other 2.1%; seats - (662 total, 656 statutory with special rules to allow for slight expansion) CDU 268, SPD 239, FDP 79, CSU 51, PDS 17, Alliance 90/Green Party (East Germany) 8; note - special rules for this election allowed former East German parties to win seats if they received at least 5% of vote in eastern Germany *** No entry for this item *** Communists: West - about 40,000 members and supporters; East - about 200,000 party members (December 1991) Other political or pressure groups: expellee, refugee, and veterans groups Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NATO, NEA, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNHCR, UPU, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Dr. Immo STABREIT will become Ambassador in late summer/early fall 1992; Chancery at 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 298-4000; there are German Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and New York, and Consulates in Miami and New Orleans US: Ambassador Robert M. KIMMITT; Embassy at Deichmanns Avenue, 5300 Bonn 2 (mailing address is APO AE 09080); telephone [49] (228) 3391; there is a US Branch Office in Berlin and US Consulates General in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellow :Germany Economy:Germany Economy Overview: The Federal Republic of Germany is making substantial progress in integrating and modernizing eastern Germany, but at a heavy economic cost. Western Germany's growth in 1991 slowed to 3.1% - the lowest rate since 1987 - because of slack world growth and higher interest rates and taxes required by the unification process. While western Germany's economy was in recession in the last half of 1991, eastern Germany's economy bottomed out after a nearly two-year freefall and shows signs of recovery, particularly in the construction, transportation, and service sectors. Eastern Germany could begin a fragile recovery later, concentrated in 1992 in construction, transportation, and services. The two regions remain vastly different, however, despite eastern Germany's progress. Western Germany has an advanced market economy and is a world leader in exports. It has a highly urbanized and skilled population that enjoys excellent living standards, abundant leisure time, and comprehensive social welfare benefits. Western Germany 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 activity, and raw materials and semimanufactured goods constitute a large portion of imports. In recent years, manufacturing has accounted for about 31% of GDP, with other sectors contributing lesser amounts. Gross fixed investment in 1990 accounted for about 21% of GDP. In 1991, GDP in the western region was an estimated $19,200 per capita. In contrast, eastern Germany's economy is shedding the obsolete heavy industries that dominated the economy during the Communist era. Eastern Germany's share of all-German GDP is only about 7%, and eastern productivity is just 30% that of the west. The privatization agency for eastern Germany, the Treuhand, is rapidly selling many of the 11,500 firms under its control. The pace of private investment is starting to pick up, but questions about property rights and environmental liabilities remain. Eastern Germany has one of the world's largest reserves of low-grade lignite coal but little else in the way of mineral resources. The quality of statistics from eastern Germany is improving, yet many gaps remain; the federal government began producing all-German data for select economic statistics at the start of 1992. The most challenging economic problem is promoting eastern Germany's economic reconstruction - specifically, finding the right mix of fiscal, monetary, regulatory, and tax policies that will spur investment in eastern Germany - without destabilizing western Germany's economy or damaging relations with West European partners. The biggest danger is that excessive wage settlements and heavy federal borrowing could fuel inflation and prompt the German Central Bank, the Bundesbank, to keep a tight monetary policy to choke off a wage-price spiral. Meanwhile, the FRG has been providing billions of dollars to help the former Soviet republics and the reformist economies of Eastern Europe. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - Federal Republic of Germany: $1,331.4 billion, per capita $16,700; real growth rate 0.7%; western Germany: $1,235.8 billion, per capita $19,200; real growth rate 3.1%; eastern Germany $95.6 billion, per capita $5,870; real growth rate - 30% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): West - 3.5% (1991); East - NA% Unemployment rate: West - 6.3% (1991); East - 11% (1991) Budget: West (federal, state, local) - revenues $684 billion; expenditures $704 billion, including capital expenditures $NA (1990), East - NA Exports: West - $324.3 billion (f.o.b., 1989) :Germany Economy:Germany Economy commodities: manufactures 86.6% (including machines and machine tools, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel products), agricultural products 4.9%, raw materials 2.3%, fuels 1.3% Exports: partners: EC 53.3% (France 12.7%, Netherlands 8.3%, Italy 9.1%, UK 8.3%, Belgium-Luxembourg 7.3%), other Western Europe 15.9%, US 7.1%, Eastern Europe 4.1%, OPEC 2.7% (1990) Imports: West - $346.5 billion (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: manufactures 68.5%, agricultural products 12.0%, fuels 9.7%, raw materials 7.1% partners: EC 51.7% (France 11.7%, Netherlands 10.1%, Italy 9.3%, UK 6.7%, Belgium-Luxembourg 7.2%), other Western Europe 13.4%, US 6.6%, Eastern Europe 3.8%, OPEC 2.5% (1990) External debt: West - $500 million (June 1988); East - $20.6 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rates, West - 5.4% (1990); East - 30% (1991 est.) Electricity: 133,000,000 kW capacity; 580,000 million kWh produced, 7,390 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: West - among world's largest producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics; food and beverages; East - metal fabrication, chemicals, brown coal, shipbuilding, machine building, food and beverages, textiles, petroleum refining Agriculture: West - accounts for about 2% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); diversified crop and livestock farming; principal crops and livestock include potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbage, cattle, pigs, poultry; net importer of food; fish catch of 202,000 metric tons in 1987; East - accounts for about 10% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); principal crops - wheat, rye, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, fruit; livestock products include pork, beef, chicken, milk, hides and skins; net importer of food; fish catch of 193,600 metric tons in 1987 Economic aid: West - donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $75.5 billion; East - donor - $4.0 billion extended bilaterally to non-Communist less developed countries (1956-89) Currency: deutsche mark (plural - deutsche marks); 1 deutsche mark (DM) = 100 pfennige Exchange rates: deutsche marks (DM) per US$1 - 1.6611 (March 1992), 1.6595 (1991), 1.6157 (1990), 1.8800 (1989), 1.7562 (1988), 1.7974 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Germany Communications:Germany Communications Railroads: West - 31,443 km total; 27,421 km government owned, 1.435-meter standard gauge (12,491 km double track, 11,501 km electrified); 4,022 km nongovernment owned, including 3,598 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (214 km electrified) and 424 km 1.000-meter gauge (186 km electrified); East - 14,025 km total; 13,750 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 275 km 1.000-meter or other narrow gauge; 3,830 (est.) km 1.435-meter standard gauge double-track; 3,475 km overhead electrified (1988) Highways: West - 466,305 km total; 169,568 km primary, includes 6,435 km autobahn, 32,460 km national highways (Bundesstrassen), 65,425 km state highways (Landesstrassen), 65,248 km county roads (Kreisstrassen); 296,737 km of secondary communal roads (Gemeindestrassen); East - 124,604 km total; 47,203 km concrete, asphalt, stone block, of which 1,855 km are autobahn and limited access roads, 11,326 are trunk roads, and 34,022 are regional roads; 77,401 municipal roads (1988) Inland waterways: West - 5,222 km, of which almost 70% are usable by craft of 1,000-metric ton capacity or larger; major rivers include the Rhine and Elbe; Kiel Canal is an important connection between the Baltic Sea and North Sea; East - 2,319 km (1988) Pipelines: crude oil 3,644 km; petroleum products 3,946 km; natural gas 97,564 km (1988) Ports: maritime - Bremerhaven, Brunsbuttel, Cuxhaven, Emden, Bremen, Hamburg, Kiel, Lubeck, Wilhelmshaven, Rostock, Wismar, Stralsund, Sassnitz; inland - 31 major Merchant marine: 607 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,210,060 GRT/6,626,333 DWT; includes 3 passenger, 5 short-sea passenger, 324 cargo, 10 refrigerated cargo, 135 container, 31 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 5 railcar carrier, 6 barge carrier, 11 oil tanker, 21 chemical tanker, 22 liquefied gas tanker, 5 combination ore/oil, 14 combination bulk, 15 bulk; note - the German register includes ships of the former East and West Germany; during 1991 the fleet underwent major restructuring as surplus ships were sold off Civil air: 239 major transport aircraft Airports: 462 total, 455 usable; 242 with permanent-surface runways; 4 with runways over 3,659 m; 40 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 55 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: West - highly developed, modern telecommunication service to all parts of the country; fully adequate in all respects; 40,300,000 telephones; intensively developed, highly redundant cable and radio relay networks, all completely automatic; broadcast stations - 80 AM, 470 FM, 225 (6,000 repeaters) TV; 6 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 12 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT antennas, 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT antennas, EUTELSAT, and domestic systems; 2 HF radiocommunication centers; tropospheric links East - badly needs modernization; 3,970,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 23 AM, 17 FM, 21 TV (15 Soviet TV repeaters); 6,181,860 TVs; 6,700,000 radios; 1 satellite earth station operating in INTELSAT and Intersputnik systems :Germany Defense Forces:Germany Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Federal Border Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 20,300,359; 17,612,677 fit for military service; 414,330 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $39.5 billion, 2.5% of GDP (1991) :Ghana Geography:Ghana Geography Total area: 238,540 km2 Land area: 230,020 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: 2,093 km; Burkina 548 km, Ivory Coast 668 km, Togo 877 km Coastline: 539 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north Terrain: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber Land use: arable land 5%; permanent crops 7%; meadows and pastures 15%; forest and woodland 37%; other 36%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: recent drought in north severely affecting marginal agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; dry, northeasterly harmattan wind (January to March) Note: Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake :Ghana People:Ghana People Population: 16,185,351 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992) Birth rate: 45 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: - 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 86 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 53 years male, 57 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Ghanaian(s); adjective - Ghanaian Ethnic divisions: black African 99.8% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%), European and other 0.2% Religions: indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%, other 8% Languages: English (official); African languages include Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga Literacy: 60% (male 70%, female 51%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 3,700,000; agriculture and fishing 54.7%, industry 18.7%, sales and clerical 15.2%, services, transportation, and communications 7.7%, professional 3.7%; 48% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: 467,000 (about 13% of labor force) :Ghana Government:Ghana Government Long-form name: Republic of Ghana Type: military Capital: Accra Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western Independence: 6 March 1957 (from UK, formerly Gold Coast) Constitution: 24 September 1979; suspended 31 December 1981 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 6 March (1957) Executive branch: chairman of the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC), PNDC, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly dissolved after 31 December 1981 coup, and legislative powers were assumed by the Provisional National Defense Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Chairman of the Provisional National Defense Council Flt. Lt. (Ret.) Jerry John RAWLINGS (since 31 December 1981) Political parties and leaders: none; political parties outlawed after 31 December 1981 coup Suffrage: none Elections: no national elections; district assembly elections held in 1988-89 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Dr. Joseph ABBEY; Chancery at 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 686-4520; there is a Ghanaian Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Raymond C. EWING; Embassy at Ring Road East, East of Danquah Circle, Accra (mailing address is P. O. Box 194, Accra); telephone [233] (21) 775348, 775349 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the gold band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band :Ghana Economy:Ghana Economy Overview: Supported by substantial international assistance, Ghana has been implementing a steady economic rebuilding program since 1983, including moves toward privatization and relaxation of government controls. Heavily dependent on cocoa, gold, and timber exports, economic growth so far has not spread substantially to other areas of the economy. The costs of sending peacekeeping forces to Liberia and preparing for the transition to a democratic government have been boosting government expenditures and undercutting structural adjustment reforms. Ghana opened a stock exchange in 1990. Much of the economic improvement in 1991 was caused by favorable weather (following a severe drought the previous year) that led to plentiful harvests in Ghana's agriculturally based economy. GDP: $6.2 billion; per capita $400; real growth rate 5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% (1991) Budget: revenues $821 million; expenditures $782 million, including capital expenditures of $151 million (1990 est.) Exports: $843 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: cocoa 45%, gold, timber, tuna, bauxite, and aluminum partners: US 23%, UK, other EC Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: petroleum 16%, consumer goods, foods, intermediate goods, capital equipment partners: US 10%, UK, FRG, France, Japan, South Korea, GDR External debt: $3.1 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.4% in manufacturing (1989); accounts for almost 1.5% of GDP Electricity: 1,180,000 kW capacity; 4,140 million kWh produced, 265 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, fishing, aluminum, food processing Agriculture: accounts for more than 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 trade Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $455 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $78 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $106 million Currency: cedi (plural - cedis); 1 cedi (C) = 100 pesewas Fiscal year: calendar year :Ghana Communications:Ghana Communications Railroads: 953 km, all 1.067-meter gauge; 32 km double track; railroads undergoing major renovation Highways: 32,250 km total; 6,084 km concrete or bituminous surface, 26,166 km gravel, laterite, and improved earth surfaces Inland waterways: Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers provide 168 km of perennial navigation for launches and lighters; Lake Volta provides 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways Pipelines: none Ports: Tema, Takoradi Merchant marine: 5 cargo and 1 refrigerated cargo (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 53,435 GRT/69,167 DWT Civil air: 8 major transport aircraft Airports: 10 total, 9 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 7 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor to fair system handled primarily by microwave links; 42,300 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 1 FM, 4 (8 translators) TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Ghana Defense Forces:Ghana Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National Civil Defense Manpower availability: males 15-49, 3,661,558; 2,049,842 fit for military service; 170,742 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, less than 1% of GNP (1989 est.) :Gibraltar Geography:Gibraltar Geography Total area: 6.5 km2 Land area: 6.5 km2 Comparative area: about 11 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 1.2 km; Spain 1.2 km Coastline: 12 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 3 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm Disputes: source of occasional friction between Spain and the UK 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% Environment: natural freshwater sources are meager, so large water catchments (concrete or natural rock) collect rain water Note: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea :Gibraltar People:Gibraltar People Population: 29,651 (July 1992), growth rate 0.1% (1992) Birth rate: 18 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: - 9 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Gibraltarian(s); adjective - Gibraltar Ethnic divisions: mostly Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, and Spanish descent Religions: Roman Catholic 74%, Protestant 11% (Church of England 8%, other 3%), Moslem 8%, Jewish 2%, none or other 5% (1981) Languages: English and Spanish are primary languages; Italian, Portuguese, and Russian also spoken; English used in the schools and for official purposes Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: about 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers); UK military establishments and civil government employ nearly 50% of the labor force Organized labor: over 6,000 :Gibraltar Government:Gibraltar Government Long-form name: none Digraph: f Assembly *** last held on 24 March 1988 (next to be held March 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total, 15 elected) SL 8, GCL/AACR 7 Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Gibraltar Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 30 May 1969 Legal system: English law National holiday: Commonwealth Day (second Monday of March) Executive branch: British monarch, governor, chief minister, Gibraltar Council, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor and Commander in Chief Adm. Sir Derek REFFELL (since NA 1989) Head of Government: Chief Minister Joe BOSSANO (since 25 March 1988) Political parties and leaders: Socialist Labor Party (SL), Joe BOSSANO; Gibraltar Labor Party/Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights (GCL/AACR), leader NA; Gibraltar Social Democrats, Peter CARUANA; Gibraltar National Party, Joe GARCIA Suffrage: universal at age 18, plus other UK subjects resident six months or more Elections: House of Assembly: last held on 24 March 1988 (next to be held March 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total, 15 elected) SL 8, GCL/AACR 7 Other political or pressure groups: Housewives Association, Chamber of Commerce, Gibraltar Representatives Organization 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:Gibraltar Economy Overview: The economy depends heavily on British defense expenditures, revenue from tourists, fees for services to shipping, and revenues from banking and finance activities. 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. Construction workers are particularly affected when government expenditures are cut. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $182 million, per capita $4,600; real growth rate 5% (FY87) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1988) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $136 million; expenditures $139 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY88) Exports: $82 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8% partners: UK, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, US, FRG Imports: $258 million (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs partners: UK, Spain, Japan, Netherlands External debt: $318 million (1987) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 47,000 kW capacity; 200 million kWh produced, 6,670 kWh per capita (1991) 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: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $0.8 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $188 million Currency: Gibraltar pound (plural - pounds); 1 Gibraltar pound (#G) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Gibraltar pounds (#G) per US$1 - 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987); note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Gibraltar Communications:Gibraltar Communications Railroads: 1.000-meter-gauge system in dockyard area only Highways: 50 km, mostly good bitumen and concrete Pipelines: none Ports: Gibraltar Merchant marine: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 795,356 GRT/1,490,737 DWT; includes 5 cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo, 1 container, 6 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 6 bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international radiocommunication and microwave facilities; 9,400 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 6 FM, 4 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Gibraltar Defense Forces:Gibraltar Defense Forces Branches: British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Glorioso Islands Geography:Glorioso Islands Geography Total area: 5 km2 Land area: 5 km2; includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock Comparative area: about 8.5 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 35.2 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: undetermined Natural resources: guano, coconuts Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other - lush vegetation and coconut palms 100% Environment: subject to periodic cyclones Note: located in the Indian Ocean just north of the Mozambique Channel between Africa and Madagascar :Glorioso Islands People:Glorioso Islands People Population: uninhabited :Glorioso Islands Government:Glorioso Islands Government Long-form name: none Type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE, resident in Reunion Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion :Glorioso Islands Economy:Glorioso Islands Economy Overview: no economic activity :Glorioso Islands Communications:Glorioso Islands Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m :Glorioso Islands Defense Forces:Glorioso Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Greece Geography:Greece Geography Total area: 131,940 km2 Land area: 130,800 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Alabama Land boundaries: 1,210 km; Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km, Macedonia 228 km Coastline: 13,676 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Territorial sea: 6 nm, but Greece has threatened to claim 12 nm Disputes: air, continental shelf, and territorial water disputes with Turkey in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question 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, crude oil, marble Land use: arable land 23%; permanent crops 8%; meadows and pastures 40%; forest and woodland 20%; other 9%; includes irrigated 7% Environment: subject to severe earthquakes; air pollution; archipelago of 2,000 islands Note: strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits :Greece People:Greece People Population: 10,064,250 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 11 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Greek(s); adjective - Greek Ethnic divisions: Greek 98%, other 2%; note - the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in Greece Religions: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7% Languages: Greek (official); English and French widely understood Literacy: 93% (male 98%, female 89%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 3,657,000; services 44%, agriculture 27%, manufacturing and mining 20%, construction 6% (1988) Organized labor: 10-15% of total labor force, 20-25% of urban labor force :Greece Government:Greece Government Long-form name: Hellenic Republic Type: presidential parliamentary government; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974 Capital: Athens Administrative divisions: 52 departments (nomoi, singular - nomos); Aitolia kai Akarnania, Akhaia, Argolis, Arkadhia, Arta, Attiki, Dhodhekanisos, Dhrama, Evritania, Evros, Evvoia, Florina, Fokis, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ilia, Imathia, Ioannina, Iraklion, Kardhitsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkira, Khalkidhiki, Khania, Khios, Kikladhes, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lesvos, Levkas, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Piraievs, Preveza, Rethimni, Rodhopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakinthos, autonomous region: Agios Oros (Mt. Athos) Independence: 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) Constitution: 11 June 1975 Legal system: based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts National holiday: Independence Day (proclamation of the war of independence), 25 March (1821) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Greek Chamber of Deputies (Vouli ton Ellinon) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Konstantinos KARAMANLIS (since 5 May 1990); - Head of Government: Prime Minister Konstantinos MITSOTAKIS (since 11 April 1990) Political parties and leaders: New Democracy (ND; conservative), Konstantinos MITSOTAKIS; Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), Andreas PAPANDREOU; Left Alliance, Maria DAMANAKI; Democratic Renewal (DEANA), Konstantinos STEFANOPOULOS; Communist Party (KKE), Aleka PAPARIGA; Ecologist-Alternative List, leader rotates Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held 8 April 1990 (next to be held April 1994); results - ND 46.89%, PASOK 38.62%, Left Alliance 10.27%, PASOK/Left Alliance 1.02%, Ecologist-Alternative List 0.77%, DEANA 0.67%, Muslim independents 0.5%; seats - (300 total) ND 150, PASOK 123, Left Alliance 19, PASOK-Left Alliance 4, Muslim independents 2, DEANA 1, Ecologist-Alternative List 1; note - one DEANA deputy joined ND in July, giving ND 151 seats; in November, a special electoral court ruled in favor of ND on a contested seat, at PASOK'S expense; PASOK and the Left Alliance divided their four joint mandates evenly, and the seven KKE deputies split off from the Left Alliance; new configuration: ND 152, PASOK 124, Left Alliance 14, KKE 7, others unchanged President: last held 4 May 1990 (next to be held May 1995); results - Konstantinos KARAMANLIS was elected by Parliament :Greece Government:Greece Government Communists: an estimated 60,000 members and sympathizers Member of: AG, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, FAO, G-6, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Christos ZACHARAKIS; Chancery at 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-5800; there are Greek Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, and a Consulate in New Orleans US: Ambassador Michael G. SOTIRHOS; Embassy at 91 Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard, 10160 Athens (mailing address is APO AE 09842; telephone [30] (1) 721-2951 or 721-8401; there is a US Consulate General in 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:Greece Economy Overview: Greece has a mixed capitalistic economy with the basic entrepreneurial system overlaid in 1981-89 by a socialist government that enlarged the public sector from 55% of GDP in 1981 to about 70% when Prime Minister Mitsotakis took office. Tourism continues as a major industry, and agriculture - although handicapped by geographic limitations and fragmented, small farms - is self-sufficient except for meat, dairy products, and animal feedstuffs. The Mitsotakis government inherited several severe economic problems from the preceding socialist and caretaker administrations, which had neglected the runaway budget deficit, a ballooning current account deficit, and accelerating inflation. In early 1991, the government secured a $2.5 billion assistance package from the EC under the strictest terms yet imposed on a member country, as the EC finally ran out of patience with Greece's failure to put its financial affairs in order. Over the next three years, Athens must bring inflation down to 7%, cut the current account deficit and central government borrowing as a percentage of GDP, slash public-sector employment by 10%, curb public-sector pay raises, and broaden the tax base. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $77.6 billion, per capita $7,730; real growth rate 1.0% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17.8% (1991) Unemployment rate: 8.6% (1991) Budget: revenues $24.0 billion; expenditures $33.0 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.3 billion (1991) Exports: $6.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: manufactured goods 48%, food and beverages 22%, fuels and lubricants 6% partners: Germany 22%, Italy 17%, France 10%, UK 7%, US 6% Imports: $18.7 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: consumer goods 33%, machinery 17%, foodstuffs 12%, fuels and lubricants 8% partners: Germany 21%, Italy 15%, Netherlands 11%, France 8%, UK 5% External debt: $25.5 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate - 2.4% (1990); accounts for 22% of GDP Electricity: 10,500,000 kW capacity; 36,420 million kWh produced, 3,630 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products, tourism, mining, petroleum Agriculture: including fishing and forestry, accounts for 17% of GDP and 27% of the labor force; principal products - wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; self-sufficient in food except meat, dairy products, and animal feedstuffs; fish catch of 115,000 metric tons in 1988 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $525 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,390 million :Greece Economy:Greece Economy Currency: drachma (plural - drachmas); 1 drachma (Dr) = 100 lepta Exchange rates: drachma (Dr) per US$1 - 182.33 (January 1992), 182.27 (1991), 158.51 (1990), 162.42 (1989), 141.86 (1988), 135.43 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Greece Communications:Greece Communications Railroads: 2,479 km total; 1,565 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, of which 36 km electrified and 100 km double track, 892 km 1.000-meter gauge; 22 km 0.750-meter narrow gauge; all government owned Highways: 38,938 km total; 16,090 km paved, 13,676 km crushed stone and gravel, 5,632 km improved earth, 3,540 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 80 km; system consists of three coastal canals and three unconnected rivers Pipelines: crude oil 26 km; petroleum products 547 km Ports: Piraievs, Thessaloniki Merchant marine: 977 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,450,910 GRT/42,934,863 DWT; includes 15 passenger, 66 short-sea passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 136 cargo, 24 container, 15 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 18 refrigerated cargo, 1 vehicle carrier, 196 petroleum tanker, 18 chemical tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 37 combination ore/oil, 3 specialized tanker, 417 bulk, 19 combination bulk, 1 livestock carrier; note - ethnic Greeks also own large numbers of ships under the registry of Liberia, Panama, Cyprus, Malta, and The Bahamas Civil air: 39 major transport aircraft Airports: 77 total, 77 usable; 77 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 19 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 23 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate, modern networks reach all areas; 4,080,000 telephones; microwave carries most traffic; extensive open-wire network; submarine cables to off-shore islands; broadcast stations - 29 AM, 17 (20 repeaters) FM, 361 TV; tropospheric links, 8 submarine cables; 1 satellite earth station operating in INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean antenna), and EUTELSAT systems :Greece Defense Forces:Greece Defense Forces Branches: Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force, Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,453,756; 1,883,152 fit for military service; 73,913 reach military age (21) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.8 billion, 5.6% of GDP (1991) :Greenland Geography:Greenland Geography Total area: 2,175,600 km2 Land area: 341,700 km2 (ice free) Comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: none Coastline: 44,087 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm Disputes: Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims between Greenland and Jan Mayen Climate: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters Terrain: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast Natural resources: zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, cryolite, uranium, fish Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland NEGL%; other 99% Environment: sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island Note: dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe :Greenland People:Greenland People Population: 57,407 (July 1992), growth rate 1.1% (1992) Birth rate: 19 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 27 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 69 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Greenlander(s); adjective - Greenlandic Ethnic divisions: Greenlander (Eskimos and Greenland-born Caucasians) 86%, Danish 14% Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Eskimo dialects, Danish Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 22,800; largely engaged in fishing, hunting, sheep breeding Organized labor: NA :Greenland Government:Greenland Government Long-form name: none Type: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division Capital: Nuuk (Godthab) Administrative divisions: 3 municipalities (kommuner, - singular - kommun); - Nordgronland, Ostgrnland, Vestgronland Independence: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division Constitution: Danish Legal system: Danish National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Executive branch: Danish monarch, high commissioner, home rule chairman, prime minister, Cabinet (Landsstyre) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Landsting) Judicial branch: High Court (Landsret) Leaders: Chief of State: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Bent KLINTE (since NA) Head of Government: Home Rule Chairman Lars Emil JOHANSEN (since 15 March 1991) Political parties and leaders: two-party ruling coalition - Siumut (a moderate socialist party that advocates more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark), Lars Emil JOHANSEN, chairman; - Inuit - Ataqatigiit - (IA; - a - Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule), leader NA; Atassut Party (a more conservative party that favors continuing close relations with Denmark), leader NA; Polar Party (conservative-Greenland nationalist), leader NA; Center Party (a new nonsocialist protest party), leader NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Danish Folketing: last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994); Greenland elects two representatives to the Folketing; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Siumut 1, Atassut 1 Landsting: last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held 5 March 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (27 total) Siumut 11, Atassut Party 8, Inuit Ataqatigiit 5, Center Party 2, Polar Party 1 Member of: NC Diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white :Greenland Economy:Greenland Economy Overview: Over the past 25 years, the economy has changed from one based on subsistence whaling, hunting, and fishing to one dependent on foreign trade. Fishing is still the most important industry, accounting for over 75% of exports and about 25% of the population's income. Maintenance of a social welfare system similar to Denmark's has given the public sector a dominant role in the economy. In 1990, the economy became critically dependent on shrimp exports and on an annual subsidy (now about $500 million) from the Danish Government because cod exports dropped off and commercial mineral production stopped. As of 1992, the government also has taken control of the health sector from Denmark. The new Home Rule government installed in March 1991 has decided to end much of the central control of the economy and to open it wider to competitive forces. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $500 million, per capita $9,000; real growth rate 5% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): l.6% (1991) Unemployment rate: 9% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues $381 million; expenditures $381 million, including capital expenditures of $36 million (1989) Exports: $435 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: fish and fish products 83%, metallic ores and concentrates 13% partners: Denmark 79%, Benelux 9%, Germany 5% Imports: $420 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: manufactured goods 28%, machinery and transport equipment 24%, food and live animals 12.4%, petroleum and petroleum products 12% partners: Denmark 65%, Norway 8.8%, US 4.6%, Germany 3.8%, Japan 3.8%, Sweden 2.4% External debt: $480 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 84,000 kW capacity; 176 million kWh produced, 3,180 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: fish processing (mainly shrimp), potential for platinum and gold mining, handicrafts, shipyards Agriculture: sector dominated by fishing and sheep raising; crops limited to forage and small garden vegetables; 1988 fish catch of 133,500 metric tons Economic aid: none Currency: Danish krone (plural - kroner); 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 re Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.447 (March 1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988), 6.840 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Greenland Communications:Greenland Communications Highways: 80 km Ports: Kangerluarsoruseq (Faeringehavn), Paamiut (Frederikshaab), Nuuk (Godthaab), Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Julianehaab, Maarmorilik, North Star Bay Merchant marine: 1 refrigerated cargo (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,021 GRT/1,778 DWT; note - operates under the registry of Denmark Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 11 total, 8 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate domestic and international service provided by cables and microwave; 17,900 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 (35 repeaters) FM, 4 (9 repeaters) TV; 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Greenland Defense Forces:Greenland Defense Forces Note: defense is responsibility of Denmark :Grenada Geography:Grenada Geography Total area: 340 km2 Land area: 340 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 121 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November Note: islands of the Grenadines group are divided politically with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines :Grenada People:Grenada People Population: 83,556 (July 1992), growth rate - 0.3% (1992) Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: - 30 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 28 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Grenadian(s); adjective - Grenadian Ethnic divisions: mainly of black African descent Religions: largely Roman Catholic; Anglican; other Protestant sects Languages: English (official); some French patois Literacy: 98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 36,000; services 31%, agriculture 24%, construction 8%, manufacturing 5%, other 32% (1985) Organized labor: 20% of labor force :Grenada Government:Grenada Government Long-form name: none Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Saint George's Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Little Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick Independence: 7 February 1974 (from UK) Constitution: 19 December 1973 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 7 February (1974) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, Ministers of Government (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Paul SCOON (since 30 September 1978) Head of Government: Prime Minister Nicholas BRATHWAITE (since 13 March 1990) Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nicholas BRATHWAITE; Grenada United Labor Party (GULP), Sir Eric GAIRY; The National Party (TNP), Ben JONES; New National Party (NNP), Keith MITCHELL; Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement (MBPM), Terrence MARRYSHOW; New Jewel Movement (NJM), Bernard COARD Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives: last held on 13 March 1990 (next to be held by NA March 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) NDC 8, GULP 3, TNP 2, NNP 2 Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Denneth MODESTE; Chancery at 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 265-2561; there is a Grenadian Consulate General in New York US: Charge d'Affaires Annette VELER; Embassy at Ross Point Inn, Saint George's (mailing address is P. O. Box 54, Saint George's); telephone (809) 444-1173 through 1178 :Grenada Government:Grenada Government 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:Grenada Economy Overview: The economy is essentially agricultural and centers on the traditional production of spices and tropical plants. Agriculture accounts for about 16% 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. Despite an impressive average annual growth rate for the economy of 5.5% during the period 1986-91, unemployment remains high at about 25%. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $238 million, per capita $2,800 (1989); real growth rate 5.2% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.0% (1990) Unemployment rate: 25% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues $54.9 million; expenditures $77.6 million, including capital expenditures of $16.6 million (1990 est.) Exports: $26.0 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: nutmeg 36%, cocoa beans 9%, bananas 14%, mace 8%, textiles 5% partners: US 12%, UK, FRG, Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago (1989) Imports: $105.0 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: food 25%, manufactured goods 22%, machinery 20%, chemicals 10%, fuel 6% (1989) partners: US 29%, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada (1989) External debt: $90 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.8% (1989 est.); accounts for 6% of GDP Electricity: 12,500 kW capacity; 26 million kWh produced, 310 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food and beverage, textile, light assembly operations, tourism, construction Agriculture: accounts for 16% 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-size farms predominate, growing a variety of citrus fruits, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, and vegetables Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY84-89), $60 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $70 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $32 million Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: calendar year :Grenada Communications:Grenada Communications Highways: 1,000 km total; 600 km paved, 300 km otherwise improved; 100 km unimproved Ports: Saint George's Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: automatic, islandwide telephone system with 5,650 telephones; new SHF radio links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad and Carriacou; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV :Grenada Defense Forces:Grenada Defense Forces Branches: Royal Grenada Police Force, Coast Guard Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Guadeloupe Geography:Guadeloupe Geography Total area: 1,780 km2 Land area: 1,760 km2 Comparative area: 10 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 306 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: subtropical tempered by trade winds; relatively high humidity Terrain: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grand-Terre is low limestone formation Natural resources: cultivable land, beaches, and climate that foster tourism Land use: arable land 18%; permanent crops 5%; meadows and pastures 13%; forest and woodland 40%; other 24%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: subject to hurricanes (June to October); La Soufriere is an active volcano Note: located 500 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea :Guadeloupe People:Guadeloupe People Population: 409,132 (July 1992), growth rate 2.1% (1992) Birth rate: 19 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 8 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 80 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Guadeloupian(s); adjective - Guadeloupe Ethnic divisions: black or mulatto 90%; white 5%; East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5% Languages: French, creole patois Literacy: 90% (male 90%, female 91%) age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: 120,000; 53.0% services, government, and commerce, 25.8% industry, 21.2% agriculture Organized labor: 11% of labor force :Guadeloupe Government:Guadeloupe Government Long-form name: Department of Guadeloupe Type: overseas department of France Capital: Basse-Terre Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: government commissioner Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional Council Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Commissioner of the Republic Jean-Paul PROUST (since November 1989) Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Marlene CAPTANT; Communist Party of Guadeloupe (PCG), Christian Medard CELESTE; Socialist Party (PSG), Dominique LARIFLA; Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG); Independent Republicans; Union for French Democracy (UDF); Union for a New Majority (UNM) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: French National Assembly: last held on 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1994); Guadeloupe elects four representatives; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (4 total) PS 2 seats, RPR 1 seat, PCG 1 seat French Senate: last held on 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1994); Guadeloupe elects two representatives; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) PCG 1, PS 1 General Council: last held NA 1986 (next to be held by NA 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (42 total) number of seats by party NA Regional Council: last held on 16 March 1992 (next to be held by 16 March 1998); results - RPR 33.1%, PSG 28.7%, PCG 23.8%, UDF 10.7%, other 3.7%; seats - (41 total) RPR 15, PSG 12, PCG 10, UDF 4 Communists: 3,000 est. Other political or pressure groups: Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG); Popular Movement for Independent Guadeloupe (MPGI); General Union of Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG); General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers (CGT-G); Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (KLPG) :Guadeloupe Government:Guadeloupe Government Member of: FZ, WCL Diplomatic representation: as an overseas department of France, the interests of Guadeloupe are represented in the US by France Flag: the flag of France is used :Guadeloupe Economy: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. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, per capita $3,300; real growth rate NA% (1987) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (1988) Unemployment rate: 38% (1987) Budget: revenues $254 million; expenditures $254 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1989) Exports: $153 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: bananas, sugar, rum partners: France 68%, Martinique 22% (1987) Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: vehicles, foodstuffs, clothing and other consumer goods, construction materials, petroleum products partners: France 64%, Italy, FRG, US (1987) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 171,500 kW capacity; 441 million kWh produced, 1,279 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism Agriculture: cash crops - bananas and sugarcane; other products include tropical fruits and vegetables; livestock - cattle, pigs, and goats; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $4 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $8.235 billion Currency: French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.6397 (March 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Guadeloupe Communications:Guadeloupe Communications Railroads: privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines Highways: 1,940 km total; 1,600 km paved, 340 km gravel and earth Ports: Pointe-a-Pitre, Basse-Terre Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 9 total, 9 usable, 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: domestic facilities inadequate; 57,300 telephones; interisland radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Martinique; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 8 FM (30 private stations licensed to broadcast FM), 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT ground station :Guadeloupe Defense Forces:Guadeloupe Defense Forces Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 98,069; NA fit for military service Note: defense is responsibility of France :Guam Geography:Guam Geography Total area: 541.3 km2 Land area: 541.3 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 125.5 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: frequent squalls during rainy season; subject to relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August) Note: largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean 5,955 km west-southwest of Honolulu about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and the Philippines :Guam People:Guam People Population: 142,271 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 15 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Guamanian(s); adjective - Guamanian; note - Guamanians are US citizens Ethnic divisions: Chamorro 47%, Filipino 25%, Caucasian 10%, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other 18% Religions: Roman Catholic 98%, other 2% Languages: English and Chamorro, most residents bilingual; Japanese also widely spoken Literacy: 96% (male 96%, female 96%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 46,930; federal and territorial government 40%, private 60% (trade 18%, services 15.6%, construction 13.8%, other 12.6%) (1990) Organized labor: 13% of labor force :Guam Government:Guam Government Long-form name: Territory of Guam Type: organized, unincorporated territory of the US; policy relations between Guam and the US are 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) Constitution: Organic Act of 1 August 1950 Legal system: NA National holiday: Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March), Liberation Day (July 21), US Government holidays Executive branch: President of the US, governor, lieutenant governor, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Legislature Judicial branch: Federal District Court of Guam, Territorial Superior Court of Guam Leaders: Chief of State: President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989) Head of Government: Governor Joseph A. ADA (since November 1986); Lieutenant Governor Frank F. BLAS Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (controls the legislature); Republican Party (party of the Governor) Suffrage: universal at age 18; US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections Elections: Governor: last held on 6 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - Joseph F. ADA reelected Legislature: last held on 6 November 1990 (next to be held November 1992); a byelection was held in April 1991 to replace a deceased legislator, results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total) Democratic 11, Republican 10 US House of Representatives: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held 3 November 1992); Guam elects one nonvoting delegate; results - Ben BLAZ was elected as the nonacting delegate; seats - (1 total) Republican 1 Member of: ESCAP (associate), IOC, SPC 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:Guam Economy Overview: The economy is based 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 1990. The small manufacturing sector includes textiles and clothing, beverage, food, and watch production. 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. In 1991 the unemployment rate was about 4.1%. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $2.0 billion, per capita $14,000; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.6% (1991) Unemployment rate: 4.1% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $525 million; expenditures $395 million, including capital expenditures of $NA. Exports: $34 million (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products partners: US 25%, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 63%, other 12% Imports: $493 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods partners: US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 500,000 kW capacity; 2,300 million kWh produced, 16,300 kWh per capita (1990) 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: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September :Guam Communications:Guam Communications Highways: 674 km all-weather roads Ports: Apra Harbor Airports: 5 total, 4 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 26,317 telephones (1989); broadcast stations - 3 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT ground stations :Guam Defense Forces:Guam Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Guatemala Geography:Guatemala Geography Total area: 108,890 km2 Land area: 108,430 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Tennessee Land boundaries: 1,687 km; Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km Coastline: 400 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specific Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims Belize, but boundary negotiations to resolve the dispute have begun Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten) Natural resources: crude oil, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle Land use: arable land 12%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 12%; forest and woodland 40%; other 32%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: numerous volcanoes in mountains, with frequent violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution Note: no natural harbors on west coast :Guatemala People:Guatemala People Population: 9,784,275 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 56 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 61 years male, 66 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Guatemalan(s); adjective - Guatemalan Ethnic divisions: Ladino (mestizo - mixed Indian and European ancestry) 56%, Indian 44% Religions: predominantly Roman Catholic; also Protestant, traditional Mayan Languages: Spanish, but over 40% of the population speaks an Indian language as a primary tongue (18 Indian dialects, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi) Literacy: 55% (male 63%, female 47%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,500,000; agriculture 60%, services 13%, manufacturing 12%, commerce 7%, construction 4%, transport 3%, utilities 0.8%, mining 0.4% (1985) Organized labor: 8% of labor force (1988 est.) :Guatemala Government:Guatemala Government Long-form name: Republic of Guatemala Type: republic Capital: Guatemala Administrative divisions: 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Constitution: 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986 Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Executive branch: president, vice president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Jorge SERRANO Elias (since 14 January 1991); Vice President Gustavo ESPINA Salguero (since 14 January 1991) Political parties and leaders: National Centrist Union (UCN), Jorge CARPIO Nicolle; Solidarity Action Movement (MAS), Jorge SERRANO Elias; Christian Democratic Party (DCG), Alfonso CABRERA Hidalgo; National Advancement Party (PAN), Alvaro ARZU Irigoyen; National Liberation Movement (MLN), Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Mario SOLARZANO Martinez; Popular Alliance 5 (AP-5), Max ORLANDO Molina; Revolutionary Party (PR), Carlos CHAVARRIA; National Authentic Center (CAN), Hector MAYORA Dawe; Democratic Institutional Party (PID), Oscar RIVAS; Nationalist United Front (FUN), Gabriel GIRON; Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG), Efrain RIOS Montt Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Congress: last held on 11 November 1990 (next to be held 11 November 1995); results - UCN 25.6%, MAS 24.3%, DCG 17. 5%, PAN 17.3%, MLN 4.8%, PSD/AP-5 3.6%, PR 2.1%; seats - (116 total) UCN 38, DCG 27, MAS 18, PAN 12, Pro - Rios Montt 10, MLN 4, PR 1, PSD/AP-5 1, independent 5 President: runoff held on 11 January 1991 (next to be held 11 November 1995); results - Jorge SERRANO Elias (MAS) 68.1%, Jorge CARPIO Nicolle (UCN) 31.9% Communists: Guatemalan Labor Party (PGT); main radical left guerrilla groups - Guerrilla Army of the Poor (EGP), Revolutionary Organization of the People in Arms (ORPA), Rebel Armed Forces (FAR), and PGT dissidents :Guatemala Government:Guatemala Government Other political or pressure groups: Federated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACIF), Mutual Support Group (GAM), Unity for Popular and Labor Action (UASP), Agrarian Owners Group (UNAGRO), Committee for Campesino Unity (CUC) Member of: BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Juan Jose CASO-FANJUL; Chancery at 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 745-4952 through 4954; there are Guatemalan Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco US: Ambassador Thomas F. STROOCK; Embassy at 7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City (mailing address is APO AA 34024); telephone [502] (2) 31-15-41 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:Guatemala Economy Overview: The economy is based on family and corporate agriculture, which accounts for 26% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and supplies two-thirds of exports. Manufacturing, predominantly in private hands, accounts for about 18% 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. Inflation at 40% in 1990-91 was more than double the 1987-89 level. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $11.7 billion, per capita $1,260; real growth rate 3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 40% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.7%, with 30-40% underemployment (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $1.05 billion; expenditures $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $270 million (1989 est.) Exports: $1.16 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: coffee 26%, sugar 13%, bananas 7%, beef 2% partners: US 39%, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Germany, Honduras Imports: $1.66 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor vehicles partners: US 40%, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Germany External debt: $2.6 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA; accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: 802,600 kW capacity; 2,461 million kWh produced, 266 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 26% of GDP; most important sector of economy and contributes two-thirds of export earnings; principal crops - sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; livestock - cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens; food importer Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; the government has an active eradication program for cannabis and opium poppy; transit country for cocaine shipments Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $1.1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.92 billion Currency: quetzal (plural - quetzales); 1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: free market quetzales (Q) per US$1 - 5.0854 (January 1992), 5.0289 (1991), 2.8161 (1989), 2.6196 (1988), 2.500 (1987); note - black-market rate 2.800 (May 1989) Fiscal year: calendar year :Guatemala Communications:Guatemala Communications Railroads: 884 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; 782 km government owned, 102 km privately owned Highways: 26,429 km total; 2,868 km paved, 11,421 km gravel, and 12,140 unimproved Inland waterways: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season Pipelines: crude oil 275 km Ports: Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,129 GRT/6,450 DWT Civil air: 8 major transport aircraft Airports: 448 total, 400 usable; 11 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 19 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fairly modern network centered in Guatemala [city]; 97,670 telephones; broadcast stations - 91 AM, no FM, 25 TV, 15 shortwave; connection into Central American Microwave System; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Guatemala Defense Forces:Guatemala Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,169,073; 1,420,116 fit for military service; 107,239 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $113 million, 1% of GDP (1990) :Guernsey Geography:Guernsey Geography Total area: 194 km2 Land area: 194 km2; includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands Comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 50 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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%; cultivated about 50% Environment: large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port Note: 52 km west of France :Guernsey People:Guernsey People Population: 57,949 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Channel Islander(s); adjective - Channel Islander Ethnic divisions: UK and Norman-French descent Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist Languages: English, French; Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education age 5 to 16 Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA :Guernsey Government:Guernsey Government Long-form name: Bailiwick of Guernsey Type: British crown dependency Capital: Saint Peter Port Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency) Independence: none (British crown dependency) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Executive branch: British monarch, lieutenant governor, bailiff, deputy bailiff Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the States Judicial branch: Royal Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Lieutenant Governor Lt. Gen. Sir Michael WILKINS (since NA 1990); Bailiff Mr. Graham Martyn DOREY (since February 1992) Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Assembly of the States: last held NA (next to be held NA); results - no percent of vote by party since all are independents; seats - (60 total, 33 elected), all independents Member of: none Diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency) Flag: white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag :Guernsey Economy:Guernsey Economy Overview: Tourism is a major source of revenue. Other economic activity includes financial services, breeding the world-famous Guernsey cattle, and growing tomatoes and flowers for export. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate 9% (1987) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1988) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $208.9 million; expenditures $173.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1988) Exports: $NA commodities: tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables partners: UK (regarded as internal trade) Imports: $NA commodities: coal, gasoline, and oil partners: UK (regarded as internal trade) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 173,000 kW capacity; 525 million kWh produced, 9,340 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: tourism, banking Agriculture: tomatoes, flowers (mostly grown in greenhouses), sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables and fruit; Guernsey cattle Economic aid: none Currency: Guernsey pound (plural - pounds); 1 Guernsey (#G) pound = 100 pence Exchange rates: Guernsey pounds (#G) per US$1 - 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987); note - the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: calendar year :Guernsey Communications:Guernsey Communications Ports: Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 41,900 telephones; 1 submarine cable :Guernsey Defense Forces:Guernsey Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Guinea Geography:Guinea Geography Total area: 245,860 km2 Land area: 245,860 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: 3,399 km; Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Ivory Coast 610 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km Coastline: 320 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Terrain: generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish Land use: arable land 6%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 12%; forest and woodland 42%; other 40%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; deforestation :Guinea People:Guinea People Population: 7,783,926 (July 1992), growth rate - 1.5% (1992) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 21 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -40 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 143 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 41 years male, 45 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Guinean(s); adjective - Guinean Ethnic divisions: Fulani 35%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, small indigenous tribes 15% Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% Languages: French (official); each tribe has its own language Literacy: 24% (male 35%, female 13%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,400,000 (1983); agriculture 82.0%, industry and commerce 11.0%, services 5.4%; 88,112 civil servants (1987); 52% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: virtually 100% of wage earners loosely affiliated with the National Confederation of Guinean Workers :Guinea Government:Guinea Government Long-form name: Republic of Guinea Type: republic Capital: Conakry Administrative divisions: 33 administrative regions (regions administratives, singular - region administrative); Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou Independence: 2 October 1958 (from France; formerly French Guinea) 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 National holiday: Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April (1984) Executive branch: president, Transitional Committee for National Recovery (Comite Transitionale de Redressement National or CTRN) replaced the Military Committee for National Recovery (Comite Militaire de Redressement National or CMRN); Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: People's National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire) was dissolved after the 3 April 1984 coup; note: framework for a new National Assembly established in December 1991 (will have 114 seats) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Gen. Lansana CONTE (since 5 April 1984) Political parties and leaders: none; following the 3 April 1984 coup, all political activity was banned Suffrage: none Elections: none Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim Ansoumane CAMARA; Chancery at 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-9420 US: Ambassador Dane F. SMITH, Jr.; Embassy at 2nd Boulevard and 9th Avenue, Conakry (mailing address is B. P. 603, Conakry); telephone (224) 44-15-20 through 24 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 Economy:Guinea Economy Overview: Although possessing many natural resources and considerable potential for agricultural development, Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world. The agricultural sector contributes about 40% to GDP and employs more than 80% of the work force, while industry accounts for 27% of GDP. Guinea possesses over 25% of the world's bauxite reserves; exports of bauxite and alumina accounted for about 70% of total exports in 1989. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $3.0 billion, per capita $410; real growth rate 4.3% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19.6% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $449 million; expenditures $708 million, including capital expenditures of $361 million (1990 est.) Exports: $788 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: alumina, bauxite, diamonds, coffee, pineapples, bananas, palm kernels partners: US 33%, EC 33%, USSR and Eastern Europe 20%, Canada Imports: $692 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, and other grain partners: US 16%, France, Brazil External debt: $2.6 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for 27% of GDP Electricity: 113,000 kW capacity; 300 million kWh produced, 40 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: bauxite mining, alumina, gold, diamond mining, light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP (includes fishing and forestry); mostly subsistence farming; principal products - rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, timber; livestock - cattle, sheep and goats; not self-sufficient in food grains Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $227 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,465 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $120 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $446 million Currency: Guinean franc (plural - francs); 1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 - 675 (1990), 618 (1989), 515 (1988), 440 (1987), 383 (1986) Fiscal year: calendar year :Guinea Communications:Guinea Communications Railroads: 1,045 km; 806 km 1.000-meter gauge, 239 km 1.435-meter standard gauge Highways: 30,100 km total; 1,145 km paved, 12,955 km gravel or laterite (of which barely 4,500 km are currently all-weather roads), 16,000 km unimproved earth (1987) Inland waterways: 1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft Ports: Conakry, Kamsar Civil air: 10 major transport aircraft Airports: 15 total, 15 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiocommunication stations, and new radio relay system; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM 1 FM, 1 TV; 65,000 TV sets; 200,000 radio receivers; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Guinea Defense Forces:Guinea Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (acts primarily as a coast guard), Air Force, Republican Guard, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, National Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,759,811; 888,968 fit for military service (1989) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.2% of GDP (1988) :Guinea-Bissau Geography:Guinea-Bissau Geography Total area: 36,120 km2 Land area: 28,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: 724 km; Guinea 386, Senegal 338 km Coastline: 350 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 12 November 1991 rendered its decision on the Guinea-Bissau/Senegal maritime boundary in favor of Senegal Climate: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoon-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Terrain: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east 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% Environment: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season :Guinea-Bissau People:Guinea-Bissau People Population: 1,047,137 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 42 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 124 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 45 years male, 48 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Guinea-Bissauan(s); adjective - Guinea-Bissauan Ethnic divisions: African about 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%); European and mulatto less than 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5% Languages: Portuguese (official); Criolo and numerous African languages Literacy: 36% (male 50%, female 24%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 403,000 (est.); agriculture 90%, industry, services, and commerce 5%, government 5%; population of working age 53% (1983) Organized labor: only one trade union - the National Union of Workers of Guinea-Bissau (UNTG) :Guinea-Bissau Government:Guinea-Bissau Government Long-form name: Republic of Guinea-Bissau Type: republic; highly centralized multiparty since mid-1991; the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) held an extraordinary party congress in December 1990 and established a two-year transition program during which the constitution will be revised, allowing for multiple political parties and a presidential election in 1993 Capital: Bissau Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali Independence: 10 September 1974 (from Portugal; formerly Portuguese Guinea) Constitution: 16 May 1984 Legal system: NA National holiday: Independence Day, 10 September (1974) Executive branch: president of the Council of State, vice presidents of the Council of State, Council of State, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular) Judicial branch: none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the Council of Ministers Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President of the Council of State Brig. Gen. Joao Bernardo VIEIRA (assumed power 14 November 1980 and elected President of Council of State on 16 May 1984) Political parties and leaders: 3 parties - African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), President Joao Bernardo VIEIRA, leader; PAIGC is still the major party and controls all aspects of the Government, but 2 opposition parties registered in late 1991; Democratic Social Front (FDS), Rafael BARBOSA, leader; Bafata Movement, Domingos Fernandes GARNER, leader; Democratic Front, Aristides MENEZES, leader; other parties forming Suffrage: universal at age 15 Elections: National People's Assembly: last held 15 June 1989 (next to be held 15 June 1994); results - PAIGC is the only party; seats - (150 total) PAIGC 150, appointed by Regional Councils President of Council of State: last held 19 June 1989 (next to be held NA 1993); results - Brig. Gen. Joao Bernardo VIEIRA was reelected without opposition by the National People's Assembly Member of: ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Alfredo Lopes CABRAL; Chancery at 918 16th Street NW, Mezzanine Suite, Washington, DC 20006; telephone (202) 872-4222, :Guinea-Bissau Government:Guinea-Bissau Government US: Ambassador William L. JACOBSEN, Jr.; Embassy at 17 Avenida Domingos Ramos, Bissau (mailing address is 1067 Bissau Codex, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau); telephone [245] 20-1139, 20-1145, 20-1113 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-Bissau Economy:Guinea-Bissau Economy Overview: Guinea-Bissau ranks among the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita GDP below $200. 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. The government's four-year plan (1988-91) has targeted agricultural development as the top priority. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $162 million, per capita $160; real growth rate 5.0% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $22.7 million; expenditures $30.8 million, including capital expenditures of $18.0 million (1989 est.) Exports: $14.2 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: cashews, fish, peanuts, palm kernels partners: Portugal, Senegal, France, The Gambia, Netherlands, Spain Imports: $68.9 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: capital equipment, consumer goods, semiprocessed goods, foods, petroleum partners: Portugal, Netherlands, Senegal, USSR, Germany External debt: $462 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate - 1.0% (1989 est.); accounts for 10% of GDP (1989 est.) Electricity: 22,000 kW capacity; 30 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: agricultural processing, beer, soft drinks Agriculture: accounts for over 50% of GDP, nearly 100% of exports, and 90% of employment; rice is the staple food; other crops include corn, beans, cassava, cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, and cotton; not self-sufficient in food; fishing and forestry potential not fully exploited Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $49 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $615 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $41 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $68 million Currency: Guinea-Bissauan peso (plural - pesos); 1 Guinea-Bissauan peso (PG) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1 - 1987.2 (1989), 1363.6 (1988), 851.65 (1987), 238.98 (1986) Fiscal year: calendar year :Guinea-Bissau Communications:Guinea-Bissau Communications Highways: 3,218 km; 2,698 km bituminous, remainder earth Inland waterways: scattered stretches are important to coastal commerce Ports: Bissau Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 34 total, 15 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor system of radio relay, open-wire lines, and radiocommunications; 3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 1 TV :Guinea-Bissau Defense Forces:Guinea-Bissau Defense Forces Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; including Army, Navy, Air Force), paramilitary force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 228,856; 130,580 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9.3 million, 5-6% of GDP (1987) :Guyana Geography:Guyana Geography Total area: 214,970 km2 Land area: 196,850 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Idaho Land boundaries: 2,462 km; Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km Coastline: 459 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: outer edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: all of the area west of the Essequibo River claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne) Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January) Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest and woodland 83%; other 8%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: flash floods a constant threat during rainy seasons; water pollution :Guyana People:Guyana People Population: 739,431 (July 1992), growth rate - 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -20 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 50 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 61 years male, 68 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Guyanese (singular and plural); adjective - Guyanese Ethnic divisions: East Indian 51%, black and mixed 43%, Amerindian 4%, European and Chinese 2% Religions: Christian 57%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 1% Languages: English, Amerindian dialects Literacy: 95% (male 98%, female 96%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1990 est.) Labor force: 268,000; industry and commerce 44.5%, agriculture 33.8%, services 21.7%; public-sector employment amounts to 60-80% of the total labor force (1985) Organized labor: 34% of labor force :Guyana Government:Guyana Government Long-form name: Co-operative Republic of Guyana Type: republic Capital: Georgetown Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Independence: 26 May 1966 (from UK; formerly British Guiana) Constitution: 6 October 1980 Legal system: based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970) Executive branch: executive president, first vice president, prime minister, first deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature Leaders: Chief of State: Executive President Hugh Desmond HOYTE (since 6 August 1985); First Vice President Hamilton GREEN (since 6 August 1985) Head of Government: Prime Minister Hamilton GREEN (since NA August 1985) Political parties and leaders: People's National Congress (PNC), Hugh Desmond HOYTE; People's Progressive Party (PPP), Cheddi JAGAN; Working People's Alliance (WPA), Eusi KWAYANA, Rupert ROOPNARINE; Democratic Labor Movement (DLM), Paul TENNASSEE; People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Llewellyn JOHN; National Democratic Front (NDF), Joseph BACCHUS; United Force (UF), Manzoor NADIR; United Republican Party (URP), Leslie RAMSAMMY; National Republican Party (NRP), Robert GANGADEEN; Guyanese Labor Party (GLP), Nanda GOPAUL Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Executive President: last held on 9 December 1985 (next to be held 1992); results - Hugh Desmond HOYTE was elected president since he was leader of the party with the most votes in the National Assembly elections National Assembly: last held on 9 December 1985 (next to be held mid-1992); results - PNC 78%, PPP 16%, UF 4%, WPA 2%; seats - (65 total, 53 elected) PNC 42, PPP 8, UF 2, WPA 1 Other political or pressure groups: Trades Union Congress (TUC); Guyana Council of Indian Organizations (GCIO); Civil Liberties Action Committee (CLAC); the latter two organizations are small and active but not well organized; Guyanese Action for Reform and Democracy (GUARD) includes various labor groups, as well as several of the smaller political parties :Guyana Government:Guyana Government Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Dr. Cedric Hilburn GRANT; Chancery at 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-6900; there is a Guyanese Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador George JONES; Embassy at 99-100 Young and Duke Streets, Georgetown; telephone [592] (2) 54900 through 54909 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:Guyana Economy Overview: Guyana is one of the world's poorest countries with a per capita income less than one-fifth the South American average. After growing on average at less than 1% a year in 1986-87, GDP dropped by 5% a year in 1988-90. The decline resulted from bad weather, labor trouble in the canefields, and flooding and equipment problems in the bauxite industry. Consumer prices rose about 100% in 1989 and 75% in 1990, and the current account deficit widened substantially as sugar and bauxite exports fell. Moreover, electric power is in short supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in national output. The government, in association with international financial agencies, seeks to reduce its payment arrears and to raise new funds. The government's stabilization program - aimed at establishing realistic exchange rates, reasonable price stability, and a resumption of growth - requires considerable public administrative abilities and continued patience by consumers during a long incubation period. In 1991, buoyed by a recovery in mining and agriculture, the economy posted 6% growth, according to official figures. A large volume of illegal and quasi- legal economic activity is not captured in estimates of the country's total output. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $250 million, per capita $300; real growth rate 6% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 75% (1990) Unemployment rate: 12-15% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues $126 million; expenditures $250 million (1990 est.) Exports: $189 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: bauxite, sugar, gold, rice, shrimp, molasses, timber, rum partners: UK 31%, US 23%, CARICOM 7%, Canada 6% (1988) Imports: $246 million (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: manufactures, machinery, food, petroleum partners: US 33%, CARICOM 10%, UK 9%, Canada 2% (1989) External debt: $2.0 billion, including arrears (1990) Industrial production: growth rate - 12.0% (1990 est.); accounts for about 11% of GDP Electricity: 252,500 kW capacity; 647 million kWh produced, 863 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: bauxite mining, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing (shrimp), textiles, gold mining Agriculture: most important sector, accounting for 24% 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 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $116 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $325 million; Communist countries 1970-89, $242 million Currency: Guyanese dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents :Guyana Economy:Guyana Economy Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1 - 124.1 (March 1992) 111.8 (1991), 39.533 (1990), 27.159 (1989), 10.000 (1988), 9.756 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Guyana Communications:Guyana Communications Railroads: 187 km total, all single track 0.914-meter gauge Highways: 7,665 km total; 550 km paved, 5,000 km gravel, 1,525 km earth, 590 km unimproved Inland waterways: 6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km, respectively Ports: Georgetown Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 54 total, 49 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; none with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 13 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system with radio relay network; over 27,000 telephones; tropospheric scatter link to Trinidad; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 3 FM, no TV, 1 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Guyana Defense Forces:Guyana Defense Forces Branches: Guyana Defense Force (GDF; includes Coast Guard and Air Corps), Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana People's Militia (GPM), Guyana National Service (GNS) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 196,066; 149,045 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5.5 million, 6% of GDP (1989 est.) :Haiti Geography:Haiti Geography Total area: 27,750 km2 Land area: 27,560 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: 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 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%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; deforestation; soil erosion Note: shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic :Haiti People:Haiti People Population: 6,431,977 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992) Birth rate: 42 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 104 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 53 years male, 55 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Haitian(s); adjective - Haitian Ethnic divisions: black 95%, mulatto and European 5% Religions: Roman Catholic is the official religion; Roman Catholic 80% (of which an overwhelming majority also practice Voodoo), Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982) Languages: French (official) spoken by only 10% of population; all speak Creole Literacy: 53% (male 59%, female 47%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,300,000; agriculture 66%, services 25%, industry 9%; shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1982) Organized labor: NA :Haiti Government:Haiti Government Long-form name: Republic of Haiti Type: republic Capital: Port-au-Prince Administrative divisions: 9 departments, (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est Independence: 1 January 1804 (from France) Constitution: 27 August 1983, suspended February 1986; draft 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1804) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) consisting of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or Chamber of Deputies Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour de Cassation) Leaders: Chief of State: President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE (since 7 February 1991), ousted in a coup in September 1991, but still recognized by international community as Chief of State; President Joseph NERETTE installed by military on 7 October 1991 Head of Government: de facto Prime Minister Marc BAZIN (since June 1992) Political parties and leaders: National Front for Change and Democracy (FNCD) led by Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE, including Congress of Democratic Movements (CONACOM), Victor BENOIT; National Konbite Movement (MKN), Volvick Remy JOSEPH; National Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ANDP), a coalition - that broke up following elections - consisting of Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti (MIDH), Marc BAZIN; National Progressive Revolutionary Party (PANPRA), Serge GILLES; and National Patriotic Movement of November 28 (MNP-28), Dejean BELIZAIRE; National Agricultural and Industrial Party (PAIN), Louis DEJOIE; Movement for National Reconstruction (MRN), Rene THEODORE; Haitian Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Joseph DOUZE; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats (RDNP), Leslie MANIGAT; National Party of Labor (PNT), Thomas DESULME; Mobilization for National Development (MDN), Hubert DE RONCERAY; Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Haiti (MODELH), Francois LATORTUE; Haitian Social Christian Party (PSCH), Gregoire EUGENE; Movement for the Organization of the Country (MOP), Gesner COMEAU Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held 16 December 1990, with runoff held 20 January 1991 (next to be held by December 1994); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (83 total) FNCD 27, ANDP 17, PDCH 7, PAIN 6, RDNP 6, MDN 5, PNT 3, MKN 2, MODELH 2, MRN 1, independents 5, other 2 :Haiti Government:Haiti Government President: last held 16 December 1990 (next election to be held by December 1995); results - Rev. Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 67.5%, Marc BAZIN 14.2%, Louis DEJOIE 4.9% Elections: Senate: last held 16 December 1990, with runoff held 20 January 1991 (next to be held December 1992); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (27 total) FNCD 13, ANDP 6, PAIN 2, MRN 2, PDCH 1, RDNP 1, PNT 1, independent 1 Communists: United Party of Haitian Communists (PUCH), Rene THEODORE (roughly 2,000 members) Other political or pressure groups: Democratic Unity Confederation (KID), Roman Catholic Church, Confederation of Haitian Workers (CTH), Federation of Workers Trade Unions (FOS), Autonomous Haitian Workers (CATH), National Popular Assembly (APN) Member of: ACCT, CARICOM (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jean CASIMIR; Chancery at 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-4090 through 4092; there are Haitian Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US: Ambassador Alvin P. ADAMS, Jr.; Embassy at Harry Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince (mailing address is P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince), telephone [509] 22-0354 or 22-0368, 22-0200, 22-0612 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:Haiti Economy Overview: About 75% of the population live in abject poverty. Agriculture is mainly small-scale subsistence farming and employs nearly three-fourths of the work force. The majority of the population does not have ready access to safe drinking water, adequate medical care, or sufficient food. Few social assistance programs exist, and the lack of employment opportunities remains one of the most critical problems facing the economy, along with soil erosion and political instability. Trade sanctions applied by the Organization of American States in response to the September 1991 coup against President Aristide have further damaged the economy. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion, per capita $440; real growth rate - 3.0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 25-50% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues $300 million; expenditures $416 million, including capital expenditures of $145 million (1990 est.) Exports: $169 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: light manufactures 65%, coffee 19%, other agriculture 8%, other 8% partners: US 84%, Italy 4%, France 3%, other industrial countries 6%, less developed countries 3% (1987) Imports: $348 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: machines and manufactures 34%, food and beverages 22%, petroleum products 14%, chemicals 10%, fats and oils 9% partners: US 64%, Netherlands Antilles 5%, Japan 5%, France 4%, Canada 3%, Germany 3% (1987) External debt: $838 million (December 1990) Industrial production: growth rate 0.3% (FY88); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: 217,000 kW capacity; 468 million kWh produced, 74 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: sugar refining, textiles, flour milling, cement manufacturing, tourism, light assembly industries based on imported parts Agriculture: accounts for 28% of GDP and employs 74% of work force; mostly small-scale subsistence farms; commercial crops - coffee, mangoes, sugarcane and wood; staple crops - rice, corn, sorghum; shortage of wheat flour Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $700 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $770 million Currency: gourde (plural - gourdes); 1 gourde (G) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: gourdes (G) per US$1 - 5.0 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September :Haiti Communications:Haiti Communications Railroads: 40 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge, single-track, privately owned industrial line Highways: 4,000 km total; 950 km paved, 900 km otherwise improved, 2,150 km unimproved Inland waterways: negligible; less than 100 km navigable Ports: Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitien Civil air: 12 major transport aircraft Airports: 13 total, 10 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: domestic facilities barely adequate, international facilities slightly better; 36,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 33 AM, no FM, 4 TV, 2 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Haiti Defense Forces:Haiti Defense Forces Branches: Army (including Police), Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,313,044; 706,221 fit for military service; 59,060 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 1.5% of GDP (1988 est.) :Heard Island and McDonald Islands Geography:Heard Island and McDonald Islands Geography Total area: 412 km2 Land area: 412 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 101.9 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm Disputes: none Climate: antarctic Terrain: Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with an extinct volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: primarily used as research stations Note: located 4,100 km southwest of Australia in the southern Indian Ocean :Heard Island and McDonald Islands People:Heard Island and McDonald Islands People Population: uninhabited :Heard Island and McDonald Islands Government:Heard Island and McDonald Islands Government Long-form name: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands Type: territory of Australia administered by the Antarctic Division of the Department of Science in Canberra (Australia) Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia :Heard Island and McDonald Islands Economy:Heard Island and McDonald Islands Economy Overview: no economic activity :Heard Island and McDonald Islands Communications:Heard Island and McDonald Islands Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only :Heard Island and McDonald Islands Defense Forces:Heard Island and McDonald Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia :Holy See (Vatican City) Geography:Holy See (Vatican City) Geography Total area: 0.438 km2 Land area: 0.438 km2 Comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 3.2 km; Italy 3.2 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked 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% Environment: urban Note: landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights :Holy See (Vatican City) People:Holy See (Vatican City) People Population: 802 (July 1992), growth rate 1.2% (1992) Nationality: no noun or adjectival forms Ethnic divisions: primarily Italians but also Swiss and other nationalities Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Italian, Latin, and various other languages Literacy: 100% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: high dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who live outside the Vatican Organized labor: Association of Vatican Lay Workers, 1,800 members (1987) :Holy See (Vatican City) Government:Holy See (Vatican City) Government Long-form name: State of the Vatican City; note - the Vatican City is the physical seat of the Holy See, which is the central government of the Roman Catholic Church Type: monarchical-sacerdotal state Capital: Vatican City Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy) Constitution: Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968) National holiday: Installation Day of the Pope (John Paul II), 22 October (1978); note - Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978 Executive branch: pope Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission Judicial branch: none; normally handled by Italy Leaders: Chief of State: Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYA; since 16 October 1978) Head of Government: Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo SODANO Political parties and leaders: none Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old Elections: Pope: last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); results - Karol WOJTYA was elected for life by the College of Cardinals Other political or pressure groups: none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) Member of: CSCE, IAEA, ICFTU, IMF (observer), INTELSAT, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation: Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino CACCIAVILLAN; 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 333-7121 US: Ambassador Thomas P. MELADY; Embassy at Villino Pacelli, Via Aurelia 294, 00165 Rome (mailing address is APO AE 09624); telephone [396] 639-0558 Flag: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal tiara 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: revenues $92 million; expenditures $178 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Electricity: 5,000 kW standby capacity (1990); power supplied by Italy Industries: printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities Currency: Vatican lira (plural - lire); 1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi Exchange rates: Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,248.4 (March 1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988), 1,296.1 (1987); note - the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates freely Fiscal year: calendar year :Holy See (Vatican City) Communications:Holy See (Vatican City) Communications Railroads: 850 m, 750 mm gauge (links with Italian network near the Rome station of Saint Peter's) Highways: none; all city streets Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, no TV; 2,000-line automatic telephone exchange; no communications satellite systems :Holy See (Vatican City) Defense Forces: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 Geography:Honduras Geography Total area: 112,090 km2 Land area: 111,890 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: 1,520 km; Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km Coastline: 820 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: dispute with El Salvador over several sections of the land boundary; dispute over Golfo de Fonseca maritime boundary because of disputed sovereignty of islands; unresolved maritime boundary with Nicaragua 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%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: subject to frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaging hurricanes and floods along Caribbean coast; deforestation; soil erosion :Honduras People:Honduras People Population: 5,092,776 (July 1992), growth rate 2.8% (1992) Birth rate: 37 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 54 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 68 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Honduran(s); adjective - Honduran Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European) 90%, Indian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic about 97%; small Protestant minority Languages: Spanish, Indian dialects Literacy: 73% (male 76%, female 71%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,300,000; agriculture 62%, services 20%, manufacturing 9%, construction 3%, other 6% (1985) Organized labor: 40% of urban labor force, 20% of rural work force (1985) :Honduras Government:Honduras Government Long-form name: Republic of Honduras Type: republic Capital: Tegucigalpa Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Constitution: 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982 Legal system: rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some influence of English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS Romero (since 26 January 1990) Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PLH) - faction leaders, Carlos FLORES Facusse (leader of Florista Liberal Movement), Carlos MONTOYA (Azconista subfaction), Ramon VILLEDA Bermudez and Jorge Arturo REINA (M-Lider faction); National Party (PNH), Jose Celin DISCUA, party president; PNH faction leaders - Oswaldo RAMOS Soto and Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS Romero (Monarca faction); National Innovation and Unity Party - Social Democrats (PINU-SD), Enrique AGUILAR Cerrato Paz; Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Jorge ILLESCAS; Democratic Action (AD), Walter LOPEZ Reyes Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: National Congress: last held on 26 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results - PNH 51%, PLH 43%, PDCH 1.9%, PINU-SD 1.5%, other 2.6%; seats - (128 total) PNH 71, PLH 55, PINU-SD 2 President: last held on 26 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results - Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS (PNH) 51%, Carlos FLORES Facusse (PLH) 43.3%, other 5.7% Other political or pressure groups: National Association of Honduran Campesinos (ANACH), Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP), Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH), National Union of Campesinos (UNC), General Workers Confederation (CGT), United Federation of Honduran Workers (FUTH), Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH), Coordinating Committee of Popular Organizations (CCOP) :Honduras Government Member of: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jorge Ramon HERNANDEZ Alcerro; Chancery at 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 966-7702; there are Honduran Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco, and Consulates in Baton Rouge, Boston, Detroit, Houston, and Jacksonville US: Ambassador S. Crescencio ARCOS; Embassy at Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa (mailing address is APO AA 34022); telephone [504] 32-3120 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:Honduras Economy Overview: Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Agriculture, the most important sector of the economy, accounts for more than 25% of GDP, employs 62% of the labor force, and produces two-thirds of exports. Productivity remains low. Industry, still in its early stages, employs nearly 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 nearly 20% of the labor force. Basic problems facing the economy include rapid population growth, high unemployment, sharply increased 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. Despite government efforts at reform and large-scale foreign assistance, the economy still is unable to take advantage of its sizable natural resources. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.2 billion, per capita $1,050; real growth rate - 0.3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 26% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% unemployed, 30-40% underemployed (1989) Budget: revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $511 million (1990 est.) Exports: $1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: bananas, coffee, shrimp, lobster, minerals, lumber partners: US 52%, Germany 11%, Japan, Italy, Belgium Imports: $1.3 billion (c.i.f. 1991) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, manufactured goods, fuel and oil, foodstuffs partners: US 39%, Japan 9%, CACM, Venezuela, Mexico External debt: $2.8 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 2.9% (1989); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: 575,000 kW capacity; 1,850 million kWh produced, 374 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: agricultural processing (sugar and coffee), textiles, clothing, wood products Agriculture: most important sector, accounting for more than 25% of GDP, over 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: illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; transshipment point for cocaine Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.4 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion Currency: lempira (plural - lempiras); 1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos :Honduras Economy:Honduras Economy Exchange rates: lempiras (L) per US$1 - 5.4 (fixed rate); 5.70 parallel black-market rate (November 1990) Fiscal year: calendar year :Honduras Communications:Honduras Communications Railroads: 785 km total; 508 km 1.067-meter gauge, 277 km 0.914-meter gauge Highways: 8,950 km total; 1,700 km paved, 5,000 km otherwise improved, 2,250 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 465 km navigable by small craft Ports: Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo Merchant marine: 201 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 629,134 GRT/939,289 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 127 cargo, 17 refrigerated - cargo, - 7 - container, - 2 - roll-on/roll-off cargo, 19 petroleum tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 3 specialized tanker, 1 vehicle carrier, 18 bulk, 2 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger; note - a flag of convenience registry; Republics of the former USSR own 10 ships under the Honduran flag Civil air: 6 major transport aircraft Airports: 171 total, 133 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: improved, but still inadequate; connection into Central American Microwave System; 35,100 telephones; broadcast stations - 176 AM, no FM, 28 TV, 7 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Honduras Defense Forces:Honduras Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, Public Security Forces (FUSEP) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,148,376; 684,375 fit for military service; 57,028 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $43.4 million, about 1% of GDP (1992 est.) :Hong Kong Geography:Hong Kong Geography Total area: 1,040 km2 Land area: 990 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 30 km; China 30 km Coastline: 733 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 3 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: more than 200 islands; occasional typhoons :Hong Kong People:Hong Kong People Population: 5,889,095 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: - 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 76 years male, 83 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: adjective - Hong Kong Ethnic divisions: Chinese 98%, other 2% Religions: eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Languages: Chinese (Cantonese), English Literacy: 77% (male 90%, female 64%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1971) Labor force: 2,800,000 (1990); 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) Organized labor: 16% of labor force (1990) :Hong Kong Government:Hong Kong Government Long-form name: none; abbreviated 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 for 50 years after transition 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 National holiday: Liberation Day, 29 August (1945) Executive branch: British monarch, governor, chief secretary of the Executive Council Legislative branch: Legislative Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Governor-designate Chris PATTEN (since July 1992); Chief Secretary Sir David Robert FORD (since February 1987) Suffrage: direct election - universal at age 21 as a permanent resident 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 Elections: Legislative Council: indirect elections last held 12 September 1991 and direct elections were held 15 September 1991 (next to be held for the first time in September 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total; 21 indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 18 directly elected, 18 appointed by governor, 3 ex officio members); indirect elections - number of seats by functional constituency NA; direct elections - UDHK 12, Meeting Point 3, ADPL 1, other 2 Communists: 5,000 (est.) cadres affiliated with Communist Party of China Other political or pressure groups: Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China), Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan), Confederation of Trade Unions (prodemocracy), Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China), Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China Member of: APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP (associate), GATT, ICFTU, IMO (associate), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WMO :Hong Kong Government:Hong Kong Government Diplomatic representation: as a dependent territory of the UK, the interests of Hong Kong in the US are represented by the UK US: Consul General Richard L. WILLIAMS; Consulate General at 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong (mailing address is Box 30, Hong Kong, or FPO AP 96522-0002); telephone [852] 239-011 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: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 18% of GDP, employs 28% of the labor force, and exports about 90% of its output. Real GDP growth averaged a remarkable 8% in 1987-88, then slowed to 2.5-3.0% in 1989-90. 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. Short-term prospects remain solid so long as major trading partners continue to be reasonably prosperous. The crackdown in China in 1989-91 casts a shadow over the longer term economic outlook. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $80.9 billion, per capita $13,800; real growth rate 3.8% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.0% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.0% (1991 est.) Budget: $8.8 billion (FY90) Exports: $82.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990), including reexports of $53.1 billion commodities: clothing, textiles, yarn and fabric, footwear, electrical appliances, watches and clocks, toys partners: China 25%, US 24%, Germany 7%, Japan 6%, UK 2%, (1990) Imports: $82.4 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum partners: China 37%, Japan 16%, Taiwan 9%, US 8% (1990) External debt: $9.5 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4% 1991 (est) Electricity: 8,600,000 kW capacity; 25,637 million kWh produced, 4,378 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks Agriculture: minor role in the economy; rice, vegetables, dairy products; less than 20% self-sufficient; shortages of rice, wheat, water Illicit drugs: a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade; transshipment and major financial and money-laundering center Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $152 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $923 million Currency: Hong Kong dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Hong Kong dollar (HK$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Hong Kong dollars (HK$) per US$ - 7.800 (1991), 7.790 (1990), 7.800 (1989), 7.810 (1988), 7.760 (1987); note - linked to the US dollar at the rate of about 7.8 HK$ per 1 US$ since 1985 Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Hong Kong Communications:Hong Kong Communications Railroads: 35 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, government owned Highways: 1,484 km total; 794 km paved, 306 km gravel, crushed stone, or earth Ports: Hong Kong Merchant marine: 142 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 5,035,223 GRT/8,598,134 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 15 cargo, 5 refrigerated cargo, 26 container, 13 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 6 combination ore/oil, 5 liquefied gas, 68 bulk, 1 combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry; ships registered in Hong Kong fly the UK flag, and an estimated 500 Hong Kong - owned ships are registered elsewhere Civil air: 16 major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total; 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services; 3,000,000 telephones; microwave transmission links and extensive optical fiber transmission network; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 6 FM, 4 TV; 1 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) repeater station and 1 British Forces Broadcasting Service repeater station; 2,500,000 radio receivers; 1,312,000 TV sets (1,224,000 color TV sets); satellite earth stations - 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT; coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; links to 5 international submarine cables providing access to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe :Hong Kong Defense Forces:Hong Kong Defense Forces Branches: Headquarters of British Forces, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, Royal Hong Kong Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,732,360; 1,334,923 fit for military service; 46,285 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $300 million, 0.5% of GDP (1989 est.); this represents one-fourth of the total cost of defending itself, the remainder being paid by the UK Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Howland Island Geography:Howland Island Geography Total area: 1.6 km2 Land area: 1.6 km2 Comparative area: about 2.7 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 6.4 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; lacks fresh water; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral cats Note: remote location 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, just north of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia :Howland Island People:Howland Island People Population: uninhabited Population: 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:Howland Island Government Long-form name: none Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC :Howland Island Economy:Howland Island Economy Overview: no economic activity :Howland Island Communications:Howland Island Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only, 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:Howland Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard :Hungary Geography:Hungary Geography Total area: 93,030 km2 Land area: 92,340 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: 2,113 km; Austria 366 km, Slovenia 82 km, Czechoslovakia 676 km, Romania 443 km, Croatia 292 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Ukraine 103 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Czechoslovakia Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils Land use: arable land 54%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 14%; forest and woodland 18%; other 11%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: levees are common along many streams, but flooding occurs almost every year Note: landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin :Hungary People:Hungary People Population: 10,333,327 (July 1992), growth rate - 0.1% (1992) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 14 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Hungarian(s); adjective - Hungarian Ethnic divisions: Hungarian 96.6%, Gypsy 5.8%, German 1.6%, Slovak 1.1%, Southern Slav 0.3%, Romanian 0.2% Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20.0%, Lutheran 5.0%, atheist and other 7.5% Languages: Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8% Literacy: 99% (male 99%, female 98%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 5.4 million; services, trade, government, and other 43.2%, industry 30.9%, agriculture 18.8%, construction 7.1% (1991) Organized labor: 45-55% of labor force; Central Council of Hungarian Trade Unions (SZOT) includes 19 affiliated unions, all controlled by the government; independent unions legal; may be as many as 12 small independent unions in operation :Hungary Government:Hungary Government Long-form name: Republic of Hungary Type: republic Capital: Budapest Administrative divisions: 19 counties (megyek, singular - megye) and 1 capital city* (fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest*, Csongrad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala Independence: 1001, unification by King Stephen I 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 National holiday: October 23 (1956); commemorates the Hungarian uprising Executive branch: president, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Orszaggyules) Judicial branch: Supreme Court, may be restructured as part of ongoing government overhaul Leaders: Chief of State: President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interim President from 2 May 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister Jozsef ANTALL (since 23 May 1990) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Forum, Jozsef ANTALL, chairman; Dr. Lajos FUR, acting president; Free Democrats, Peter TOLGYESSY, chairman; Independent Smallholders, Jozsef TORGYAN, president; Hungarian Socialist Party (MSP), Gyula HORN, chairman; Young Democrats, Gabor FODOR, head; Christian Democrats, Dr. Lazlo SURJAN, president; note - the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers' Party (MSZMP) renounced Communism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSP) in October 1989; there is still a small (fringe) MSZMP Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 3 August 1990 (next to be held August 1994); results - President GONCZ elected by popular vote; note - President GONCZ was elected by the National Assembly with a total of 294 votes out of 304 as interim President from 2 May 1990 until elected President National Assembly: last held on 25 March 1990 (first round, with the second round held 8 April 1990); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (386 total) Democratic Forum 162, Free Democrats 90, Independent Smallholders 45, Hungarian Socialist Party (MSP) 33, Young Democrats 22, Christian Democrats 21, independents or jointly sponsored candidates 13 Communists: fewer than 100,000 (December 1989) :Hungary Government:Hungary Government Member of: BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, ECE, FAO, G-9, GATT, HG, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NSG, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Pal TAR; Chancery at 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 362-6730; there is a Hungarian Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Charles THOMAS; Embassy at V. Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapest (mailing address is APO AE 09213-5270); telephone [36] (1) 112-6450; FAX 132-8934 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green :Hungary Economy:Hungary Economy Overview: Hungary is in the midst of a difficult transition between a command and a market economy. Agriculture is an important sector, providing sizable export earnings and meeting domestic food needs. Industry accounts for about 40% of GDP and 30% of employment. Hungary claims that less than 20% of foreign trade is now with former CEMA countries, while about 70% is with OECD members. Hungary's economic reform programs during the Communist era gave it a head start in creating a market economy and attracting foreign investment. In 1990, Hungary received half of all foreign investment in Eastern Europe and in 1991 received the largest single share. The growing private sector accounts for one-quarter to one-third of national output according to unofficial estimates. Privatization of state enterprises is progressing, although excessive redtape, bureaucratic oversight, and uncertainties about pricing have slowed the process. Escalating unemployment and high rates of inflation may impede efforts to speed up privatization and budget reform, while Hungary's heavy foreign debt will make the government reluctant to introduce full convertability of the forint before 1993. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $60.1 billion, per capita $5,700; real growth rate - 7% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 34% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.0% (1991) Budget: revenues $12.7 billion; expenditures $13.6 billion (1992 planned) Exports: $10.2 billion (f.o.b. 1991) commodities: capital goods 25.9%, foods 23%, consumer goods 16.5%, fuels 2.4%, other 32.2% partners: USSR and Eastern Europe 31.9%, EC 32.2%, EFTA 12% (1990) Imports: $11.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: capital goods 31.6%, fuels 13.8%, manufactured consumer goods 14.6%, agriculture 6%, other 34.0% partners: USSR and Eastern Europe 34%, EC 31%, EFTA 15.4% External debt: $22.7 billion (January 1991) Industrial production: growth rate - 20% (1991 est.) Electricity: 6,967,000 kW capacity; 28,376 million kWh produced, 2,750 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: mining, metallurgy, engineering industries, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), trucks, buses Agriculture: including forestry, accounts for about 15% of GDP and 19% of employment; highly diversified crop-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 transiting the Balkan route :Hungary Economy Economic aid: recipient - $9.1 billion in assistance from OECD countries (from 1st quarter 1990 to end of 2nd quarter 1991) Currency: forint (plural - forints); 1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler Fiscal year: calendar year :Hungary Communications:Hungary Communications Railroads: 7,765 km total; 7,508 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 222 km narrow gauge (mostly 0.760-meter), 35 km 1.520-meter broad gauge; 1,147 km double track, 2,161 km electrified; all government owned (1991) Highways: 130,014 km total; 29,715 km national highway system - 26,834 km asphalt, 142 km concrete, 51 km stone and road brick, 2,276 km macadam, 412 km unpaved; 58,495 km country roads (66% unpaved), and 41,804 km (est.) other roads (70% unpaved) (1988) Inland waterways: 1,622 km (1988) Pipelines: crude oil 1,204 km; petroleum products 630 km; natural gas 3,895 km (1986) Ports: Budapest and Dunaujvaros are river ports on the Danube; maritime outlets are Rostock (Germany), Gdansk (Poland), Gdynia (Poland), Szczecin (Poland), Galati (Romania), and Braila (Romania) Merchant marine: 14 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) and 1 bulk totaling 85,489 GRT/119,520 DWT Civil air: 28 major transport aircraft Airports: 90 total, 90 usable; 20 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: automatic telephone network based on radio relay system; 1.9 million phones; telephone density is at 17 per 100 inhabitants; 49% of all phones are in Budapest; 12-15 year wait for a phone; 16,000 telex lines (June 1990); broadcast stations - 32 AM, 15 FM, 41 TV (8 Soviet TV repeaters); 4.2 million TVs (1990); 1 satellite ground station using INTELSAT and Intersputnik :Hungary Defense Forces:Hungary Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, Territorial Defense Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,619,277; 2,092,867 fit for military service; 87,469 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - 60.8 billion forints, 1.7% of GNP (1992 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate would produce misleading results :Iceland Geography:Iceland Geography Total area: 103,000 km2 Land area: 100,250 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Kentucky Land boundaries: none Coastline: 4,988 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area) Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords Natural resources: fish, hydroelectric and geothermal power, diatomite Land use: arable land NEGL%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 23%; forest and woodland 1%; other 76% Environment: subject to earthquakes and volcanic activity Note: strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country :Iceland People:Iceland People Population: 259,012 (July 1992), growth rate 0.9% (1992) Birth rate: 18 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 4 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 76 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Icelander(s); adjective - Icelandic Ethnic divisions: homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegians and Celts Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 96%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, none 1% (1988) Languages: Icelandic Literacy: 100% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.) Labor force: 134,429; commerce, finance, and services 55.4%, other manufacturing 14.3%., agriculture 5.8%, fish processing 7.9%, fishing 5.0% (1986) Organized labor: 60% of labor force :Iceland Government:Iceland Government Long-form name: Republic of Iceland Type: republic Capital: Reykjavik Administrative divisions: 23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla Independence: 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) Constitution: 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 Legal system: civil law system based on Danish law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic, 17 June (1944) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Althing) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Haestirettur) Leaders: Chief of State: President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR (since 1 August 1980) Head of Government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991) Political parties and leaders: Independence Party (conservative), David ODDSSON; Progressive Party, Steingrimur HERMANNSSON; Social Democratic Party, Jon Baldvin HANNIBALSSON; People's Alliance (left socialist), Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON; Citizens Party (conservative nationalist), Julius SOLNES; Women's List Suffrage: universal at age 20 Elections: President: last held on 29 June 1980 (next scheduled for June 1992); results - there were no elections in 1984 and 1988 as President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR was unopposed Althing: last held on 20 April 1991 (next to be held by April 1995); results - Independence Party 38.6%, Progressive Party 18.9%, Social Democratic Party 15.5%, People's Alliance 14.4%, Womens List 8.13%, Liberals 1.2%, other 3.27% seats - (63 total) Independence 26, Progressive 13, Social Democratic 10, People's Alliance 9, Womens List 5 :Iceland Government:Iceland Government Member of: BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Tomas A. TOMASSON; Chancery at 2022 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-6653 through 6655; there is an Icelandic Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Charles E. COBB, Jr.; Embassy at Laufasvegur 21, Box 40, Reykjavik (mailing address is FPO AE 09728-0340); telephone [354] (1) 29100 Flag: blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) :Iceland Economy:Iceland Economy Overview: Iceland's prosperous Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, but with extensive welfare measures, low unemployment, and comparatively even distribution of income. The economy is heavily dependent on the fishing industry, which provides nearly 75% of export earnings. In the absence of other natural resources, Iceland's economy is vulnerable to changing world fish prices. The economic improvements resulting from climbing fish prices in 1990 and a noninflationary labor agreement probably will be reversed by tighter fish quotas and a delay in the construction of an aluminum smelting plant. The conservative government's economic priorities include reducing the budget and current account deficits, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and tying the krona to the EC's European currency unit in 1993. The fishing industries - notably the shrimp industry - are experiencing a series of bankruptcies and mergers. Inflation has continued to drop sharply from 20% in 1989 to about 7.5% in 1991 and possibly 3% in 1992, while unemployment is expected to increase to 2.5%. GDP is expected to contract by nearly 4% in 1992. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $4.2 billion, per capita $16,200; real growth rate 0.3% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.5% (1991) Unemployment rate: 1.8% (1991) Budget: revenues $1.7 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA million (1991 est.) Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: fish and fish products, animal products, aluminum, diatomite partners: EC 67.7% (UK 25.3%, FRG 12.7%), US 9.9%, Japan 6% (1990) Imports: $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, textiles partners: EC 49.8% (FRG 12.4%, Denmark 8.6%, UK 8.1%), US 14.4%, Japan 5.6% (1990) External debt: $3 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 1.75% (1991 est.) Electricity: 1,063,000 kW capacity; 5,165 million kWh produced, 20,780 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: fish processing, aluminum smelting, ferro-silicon production, hydropower Agriculture: accounts for about 25% of GDP (including fishing); fishing is most important economic activity, contributing nearly 75% to export earnings; principal crops - potatoes and turnips; livestock - cattle, sheep; self-sufficient in crops; fish catch of about 1.4 million metric tons in 1989 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $19.1 million Currency: krona (plural - kronur); 1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurar :Iceland Economy:Iceland Economy Exchange rates: Icelandic kronur (IKr) per US$1 - 57.277 (January 1992), 58.996 (1991), 58.284 (1990), 57.042 (1989), 43.014 (1988), 38.677 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Iceland Communications:Iceland Communications Highways: 12,343 km total; 166 km bitumen and concrete; 1,284 km bituminous treated and gravel; 10,893 km earth Ports: Reykjavik, Akureyri, Hafnarfjordhur, Keflavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Siglufjordhur, Vestmannaeyjar Merchant marine: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 37,969 GRT/57,060 DWT; includes 5 cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker Civil air: 20 major transport aircraft Airports: 94 total, 89 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate domestic service; coaxial and fiber-optical cables and radio relay for trunk network; 135,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 19 AM, 30 (43 repeaters) FM, 13 (132 repeaters) TV; 2 submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station carries majority of international traffic :Iceland Defense Forces:Iceland Defense Forces Branches: no armed forces; Police, Coast Guard; Iceland's defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik Manpower availability: males 15-49, 69,072; 61,556 fit for military service; no conscription or compulsory military service Defense expenditures: none :India Geography:India Geography Total area: 3,287,590 km2 Land area: 2,973,190 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than one-third the size of the US Land boundaries: 14,103 km; Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km Coastline: 7,000 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: boundaries with Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan; water sharing problems with downstream riparians, Bangladesh over the Ganges and Pakistan over the Indus 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, crude oil, limestone Land use: arable land 55%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest and woodland 23%; other 17%; includes irrigated 13% Environment: droughts, flash floods, severe thunderstorms common; deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; air and water pollution; desertification Note: dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes :India People:India People Population: 886,362,180 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992) Birth rate: 30 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 81 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 57 years male, 58 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Indian(s); adjective - Indian Ethnic divisions: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% Religions: Hindu 82.6%, Muslim 11.4%, Christian 2.4%, Sikh 2.0%, Buddhist 0.7%, Jains 0.5%, other 0.4% Languages: Hindi, English, and 14 other official languages - Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; 24 languages spoken by a million or more persons each; numerous other languages and dialects, for the most part mutually unintelligible; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindustani, a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu, is spoken widely throughout northern India Literacy: 48% (male 62%, female 34%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 284,400,000; 67% agriculture (FY85) Organized labor: less than 5% of the labor force :India Government:India Government Long-form name: Republic of India Type: federal republic Capital: New Delhi Administrative divisions: 25 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Pondicherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal Independence: 15 August 1947 (from UK) Constitution: 26 January 1950 Legal system: based on English common law; limited judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 26 January (1950) Executive branch: president, vice president, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Sansad) consists of an upper house or Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and a lower house or People's Assembly (Lok Sabha) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Ramaswamy Iyer VENKATARAMAN (since 25 July 1987); Vice President Dr. Shankar Dayal SHARMA (since 3 September 1987) Head of Government: Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha RAO (since 21 June 1991) Political parties and leaders: Congress (I) Party, P. V. Narasimha RAO, president; Bharatiya Janata Party, L. K. ADVANI; Janata Dal Party, V. P. SINGH; Communist Party of India/Marxist (CPI/M), Harkishan Singh SURJEET; Communist Party of India (CPI), C. Rajeswara RAO; Telugu Desam (a regional party in Andhra Pradesh), N. T. Rama RAO; All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK; a regional party in Tamil Nadu), JAYALALITHA; Samajwadi Janata Party, CHANDRA SHEKHAR; Shiv Sena, Bal THACKERAY; Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Tridip CHOWDHURY; Bahujana Samaj Party (BSP), Kanshi RAM; Congress (S) Party, leader NA; Communist Party of India/Marxist-Leninist (CPI/ML), Satyanarayan SINGH; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (a regional party in Tamil Nadu), M. KARUNANIDHI; Akali Dal factions representing Sikh religious community in the Punjab; National Conference (NC; a regional party in Jammu and Kashmir), Farooq ABDULLAH; Asom Gana Parishad (a regional party in Assam), Prafulla MAHANTA Suffrage: universal at age 18 :India Government:India Government Elections: People's Assembly: last held 21 May, 12 and 15 June 1991 (next to be held by November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (545 total), 520 elected - Congress (I) Party 231, Bharatiya Janata Party 119, Janata Dal Party 59, 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; note - second and third rounds of voting were delayed because of the assassination of Congress President Rajiv GANDHI on 21 May 1991 Communists: 466,000 members claimed by CPI, 361,000 members claimed by CPI/M; Communist extremist groups, about 15,000 members Other political or pressure groups: various separatist groups seeking greater communal and/or regional autonomy; numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations, including Adam Sena, Ananda Marg, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Abid HUSSEIN; Chancery at 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-7000; there are Indian Consulates General in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco US: Ambassador William CLARK, Jr.; Embassy at Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021, New Delhi; telephone [91] (11) 600651; FAX [91] (11) 687-2028, 687-2391; there are US Consulates General in Bombay, Calcutta, and 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:India Economy Overview: India's economy is a mixture of traditional village farming and handicrafts, modern agriculture, old and new branches of industry, and a multitude of support services. It presents both the entrepreneurial skills and drives of the capitalist system and widespread government intervention of the socialist mold. Growth of 4-5% annually in the 1980s has softened the impact of population growth on unemployment, social tranquility, and the environment. Agricultural output has continued to expand, reflecting the greater use of modern farming techniques and improved seed that have helped to make India self-sufficient in food grains and a net agricultural exporter. However, tens of millions of villagers, particularly in the south, have not benefited from the green revolution and live in abject poverty, and great numbers of urban residents lack the basic essentials of life. Industry has benefited from a partial liberalization of controls. The growth rate of the service sector has also been strong. India, however, has been challenged more recently by much lower foreign exchange reserves, higher inflation, and a large debt service burden. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $328 billion, per capita $380; real growth rate 2.5% (FY92 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.0% (1991) Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $38.5 billion; expenditures $53.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $11.1 billion (FY92) Exports: $20.2 billion (f.o.b., FY91) commodities: gems and jewelry, engineering goods, clothing, textiles, chemicals, tea, coffee, fish products partners: EC 25%, US 16%, USSR and Eastern Europe 19%, Japan 10% (1989) Imports: $25.2 billion (c.i.f., FY91) commodities: petroleum products, capital goods, uncut gems, gems, jewelry, chemicals, iron and steel, edible oils partners: EC 33%, Middle East 19%, US 12%, Japan 8%, USSR and Eastern Europe 8% (1989) External debt: $72.0 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 8.4% (1990); accounts for about 25% of GDP Electricity: 80,000,000 kW capacity; 290,000 million kWh produced, 330 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, food processing, steel, machinery, transportation equipment, cement, jute manufactures, mining, petroleum, power, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics Agriculture: accounts for about 30% of GDP and employs 67% of labor force; self-sufficient in food grains; principal crops - rice, wheat, oilseeds, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; livestock - cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and poultry; fish catch of about 3 million metric tons ranks India among the world's top 10 fishing nations :India Economy:India Economy Illicit drugs: licit producer of opium poppy for the pharmaceutical trade, but some opium is diverted to illicit international drug markets; major transit country for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries; illicit producer of hashish Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $4.4 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $31.7 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $315 million; USSR (1970-89), $11.6 billion; Eastern Europe (1970-89), $105 million Currency: Indian rupee (plural - rupees); 1 Indian rupee (Re) = 100 paise Exchange rates: Indian rupees (Rs) per US$1 - 25.917 (January 1992), 22.742 (1991), 17.504 (1990), 16.226 (1989), 13.917 (1988), 12.962 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :India Communications:India Communications Railroads: 61,850 km total (1986); 33,553 km 1.676-meter broad gauge, 24,051 km 1.000-meter gauge, 4,246 km narrow gauge (0.762 meter and 0.610 meter); 12,617 km is double track; 6,500 km is electrified Highways: 1,970,000 km total (1989); 960,000 km surfaced and 1,010,000 km gravel, crushed stone, or earth Inland waterways: 16,180 km; 3,631 km navigable by large vessels Pipelines: crude oil 3,497 km; petroleum products 1,703 km; natural gas 902 km (1989) Ports: Bombay, Calcutta, Cochin, Kandla, Madras, New Mangalore, Port Blair (Andaman Islands) Merchant marine: 299 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,991,278 GRT/9,935,463 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 7 passenger-cargo, 91 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 8 container, 54 oil tanker, 10 chemical tanker, 8 combination ore/oil, 111 bulk, 2 combination bulk, 6 liquefied gas Civil air: 93 major transport aircraft Airports: 341 total, 288 usable; 203 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 59 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 87 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor domestic telephone service, international radio communications adequate; 4,700,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 96 AM, 4 FM, 274 TV (government controlled); domestic satellite system for communications and TV; 3 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; submarine cables to Malaysia and United Arab Emirates :India Defense Forces:India Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Security or Paramilitary Forces, Border Security Force, Coast Guard, Assam Rifles Manpower availability: males 15-49, 237,803,153; 140,140,736 fit for military service; about 9,474,290 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GNP (FY91) :Indian Ocean Geography:Indian Ocean Geography Total area: 73,600,000 km2 Land area: 73,600,000 km2; Arabian Sea, Bass Strait, Bay of Bengal, Java Sea, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Strait of Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies Comparative area: slightly less than eight times the size of the US; third-largest ocean (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the Arctic Ocean) Coastline: 66,526 km Disputes: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) Climate: northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the north Indian Ocean and January/February in the south Indian Ocean Terrain: surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the south Indian Ocean; unique reversal of surface currents in the north Indian Ocean - low 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 aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules Environment: endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea Note: major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme south near Antarctica from May to October :Indian Ocean Economy:Indian Ocean Economy Overview: The Indian Ocean provides a major highway for the movement of petroleum products from the Middle East to Europe and North and South American countries. Fish from the ocean are of growing economic importance to many of the bordering countries as a source of both food and exports. 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 marine life, minerals, oil and gas production, fishing, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits :Indian Ocean Communications:Indian Ocean Communications Ports: Bombay (India), Calcutta (India), Madras (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban (South Africa), Fremantle (Australia), Jakarta (Indonesia), Melbourne (Australia), Richard's Bay (South Africa) Telecommunications: submarine cables from India to United Arab Emirates and Malaysia :Indonesia Geography:Indonesia Geography Total area: 1,919,440 km2 Land area: 1,826,440 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: 2,602 km; Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km Coastline: 54,716 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor Province) disputed with Portugal Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains Natural resources: crude oil, tin, natural gas liquids, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver Land use: arable land 8%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 7%; forest and woodland 67%; other 15%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: archipelago of 13,500 islands (6,000 inhabited); occasional floods, severe droughts, and tsunamis; deforestation Note: straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean :Indonesia People:Indonesia People Population: 195,683,531 (July 1992), growth rate 1.7% (1992) Birth rate: 25 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 70 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 59 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Indonesian(s); adjective - Indonesian Ethnic divisions: majority of Malay stock comprising Javanese 45.0%, Sundanese 14.0%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26.0% Religions: Muslim 87%, Protestant 6%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1985) Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (modified form of Malay; official); English and Dutch leading foreign languages; local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese Literacy: 77% (male 84%, female 68%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 67,000,000; agriculture 55%, manufacturing 10%, construction 4%, transport and communications 3% (1985 est.) Organized labor: 3,000,000 members (claimed); about 5% of labor force :Indonesia Government:Indonesia Government Long-form name: Republic of Indonesia Type: republic Capital: Jakarta Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (propinsi-propinsi, singular - propinsi), 2 special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Bengkulu, Irian Jaya, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Lampung, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Riau, Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara, Timor Timur, Yogyakarta* Independence: 17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27 December 1949, Indonesia became legally independent from the Netherlands) 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1945) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or DPR); 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) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Gen. (Ret.) SOEHARTO (since 27 March 1968); Vice President Lt. Gen. (Ret.) SUDHARMONO (since 11 March 1988) Political parties and leaders: GOLKAR (quasi-official party based on functional groups), Lt. Gen. (Ret.) WAHONO, general chairman; Indonesia Democracy Party (PDI - federation of former Nationalist and Christian Parties), SOERYADI, chairman; Development Unity Party (PPP, federation of former Islamic parties), Ismail Hasan METAREUM, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 17 and married persons regardless of age Elections: House of Representatives: last held on 23 April 1987 (next to be held 8 June 1992); results - Golkar 73%, UDP 16%, PDI 11%; seats - (500 total - 400 elected, 100 appointed) Golkar 299, UDP 61, PDI 40 Communists: Communist Party (PKI) was officially banned in March 1966; current strength about 1,000-3,000, with less than 10% engaged in organized activity; pre-October 1965 hardcore membership about 1.5 million :Indonesia Government:Indonesia Government Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Abdul Rachman RAMLY; Chancery at 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 775-5200; there are Indonesian Consulates General in Houston, New York, and Los Angeles, and Consulates in Chicago and San Francisco US: Ambassador John C. MONJO; Embassy at Medan Merdeka Selatan 5, Jakarta (mailing address is APO AP 96520); telephone [62] (21) 360-360; FAX [62] (21) 360-644; there are US Consulates in Medan and Surabaya Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red :Indonesia Economy:Indonesia Economy Overview: Indonesia is a mixed economy with many 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 poor country. GDP growth in 1985-91 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 23% 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 30% of GDP and is based on a supply of diverse natural resources, including crude oil, natural gas, timber, metals, and coal. Of these, the oil sector dominates the external economy, generating more than 20% of the government's revenues and 40% of export earnings in 1989. However, the economy's growth is highly dependent on the continuing expansion of nonoil exports. Japan is Indonesia's most important customer and supplier of aid. In 1991, rapid growth in the money supply prompted Jakarta to implement a tight monetary policy, forcing the private sector to go to foreign banks for investment financing. Real interest rates remained above 10%, off-shore commercial debt grew, and real GDP growth dropped slightly from the 7% of 1990. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $122 billion, per capita $630; real growth rate 6.0% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 3%; underemployment 45% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $17.2 billion; expenditures $23.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $8.9 billion (FY91) Exports: $25.7 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: petroleum and liquefied natural gas 40%, timber 15%, textiles 7%, rubber 5%, coffee 3% partners: Japan 40%, US 14%, Singapore 7%, Europe 16% (1990) Imports: $21.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery 39%, chemical products 19%, manufactured goods 16% partners: Japan 23%, US 13%, EC, Singapore External debt: $58.5 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 11.6% (1989 est.); accounts for 30% of GDP Electricity: 11,600,000 kW capacity; 38,000 million kWh produced, 200 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: petroleum, textiles, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, food, rubber :Indonesia Economy:Indonesia Economy Agriculture: accounts for 23% 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 trade, but not a major player; government actively eradicating plantings and prosecuting traffickers Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $4.4 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $25.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $213 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $175 million Currency: Indonesian rupiah (plural - rupiahs); 1 Indonesian rupiah (Rp) = 100 sen (sen no longer used) Exchange rates: Indonesian rupiahs (Rp) per US$1 - 1,998.2 (January 1992), 1,950.3 (1991), 1,842.8 (1990), 1,770.1 (1989), 1,685.7 (1988), 1,643.8 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Indonesia Communications:Indonesia Communications Railroads: 6,964 km total; 6,389 km 1.067-meter gauge, 497 km 0.750-meter gauge, 78 km 0.600-meter gauge; 211 km double track; 101 km electrified; all government owned Highways: 119,500 km total; 11,812 km state, 34,180 km provincial, and 73,508 km district roads Inland waterways: 21,579 km total; Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820 km, Kalimantan 10,460 km, Celebes 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 km Pipelines: crude oil 2,505 km; petroleum products 456 km; natural gas 1,703 km (1989) Ports: Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Palembang, Ujungpandang, Semarang, Surabaya Merchant marine: 387 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,698,946 GRT/2,560,414 DWT; includes 5 short-sea passenger, 13 passenger-cargo, 231 cargo, 8 container, 3 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 vehicle carrier, 79 petroleum tanker, 5 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 7 specialized tanker, 1 livestock carrier, 25 bulk, 1 passenger Civil air: about 216 commercial transport aircraft Airports: 437 total, 410 usable; 114 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 64 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: interisland microwave system and HF police net; domestic service fair, international service good; radiobroadcast coverage good; 763,000 telephones (1986); broadcast stations - 618 AM, 38 FM, 9 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station; and 1 domestic satellite communications system :Indonesia Defense Forces:Indonesia Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 51,906,415; 30,668,815 fit for military service; 2,095,698 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion, 2% of GNP (FY91) :Iran Geography:Iran Geography Total area: 1,648,000 km2 Land area: 1,636,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries: 5,440 km; Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan (north) 432 km, Azerbaijan (northwest) 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km Coastline: 2,440 km note: Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km) Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specific Exclusive fishing zone: 50 nm in the Sea of Oman; continental shelf limit, continental shelf boundaries, or median lines in the Persian Gulf Territorial sea: 12 nm 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) Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur Land use: arable land 8%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 27%; forest and woodland 11%; other 54%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: deforestation; overgrazing; desertification :Iran People:Iran People Population: 61,183,138 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 64 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 66 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Iranian(s); adjective - Iranian Ethnic divisions: Persian 51%, Azerbaijani 25%, Kurd 9%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Lur 2%, Baloch 1%, Arab 1%, other 3% Religions: Shi`a Muslim 95%, Sunni Muslim 4%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 1% Languages: 58% Persian and Persian dialects, 26% Turkic and Turkic dialects, 9% Kurdish, 2% Luri, 1% Baloch, 1% Arabic, 1% Turkish, 2% other Literacy: 54% (male 64%, female 43%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 15,400,000; agriculture 33%, manufacturing 21%; shortage of skilled labor (1988 est.) Organized labor: none :Iran Government:Iran Government Long-form name: Islamic Republic of Iran Type: theocratic republic Capital: Tehran Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Azarbayjan-e Bakhtari, Azarbayjan-e Khavari, Bakhtaran, Bushehr, Chahar Machall va Bakhtiari, Ecsfahan, Fars, Gilan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kohkiluyeh va Buyer Achmadi, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan Independence: 1 April 1979, Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed Constitution: 2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the presidency and eliminate the prime ministership Legal system: the Constitution codifies Islamic principles of government National holiday: Islamic Republic Day, 1 April (1979) Executive branch: cleric (faqih), president, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Cleric and functional Chief of State: Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali HOSEINI-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) Head of Government: President Ali Akbar HASHEMI-RAFSANJANI (since 3 August 1989) Political parties and leaders: there are at least 18 licensed parties; the three most important are - Tehran Militant Clergy Association, Mohammad Reza MAHDAVI-KANI; Militant Clerics Association, Mehdi MAHDAVI-KARUBI and Mohammad Asqar MUSAVI-KHOINIHA; Fedaiyin Islam Organization, Sadeq KHALKHALI Suffrage: universal at age 15 Elections: President: last held July 1989 (next to be held April 1993); results - Ali Akbar HASHEMI-RAFSANJANI was elected with only token opposition Islamic Consultative Assembly: last held 8 April 1992 (next to be held April 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (270 seats total) number of seats by party NA Communists: 1,000 to 2,000 est. hardcore; 15,000 to 20,000 est. sympathizers; crackdown in 1983 crippled the party; trials of captured leaders began in late 1983 Other political or pressure groups: groups that generally support the Islamic Republic include Hizballah, Hojjatiyeh Society, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution, Muslim Students Following the Line of the Imam; armed political groups that have been almost completely repressed by the government include Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), People's Fedayeen, Kurdish Democratic Party; the Society for the Defense of Freedom :Iran Government:Iran Government Member of: CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: none; protecting power in the US is Pakistan - Iranian Interests Section, 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-6200 US: 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: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. After a decade of economic decline, Iran's GNP grew roughly 4% in FY90 and 10% in FY91. An oil windfall in 1990 combined with a substantial increase in imports contributed to Iran's recent economic growth. Iran has also begun implementing a number of economic reforms to reduce government intervention (including subsidies) and has allocated substantial resources to development projects in the hope of stimulating the economy. Nevertheless, lower oil revenues in 1991 - oil accounts for more than 90% of export revenues and provides roughly 65% of the financing for the five-year economic development plan - and dramatic increases in external debt are threatening development plans and could prompt Iran to cut imports, thus limiting economic growth in the medium term. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $90 billion, per capita $1,500; real growth rate 10% (FY91 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18% (FY91 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (1989) Budget: revenues $63 billion; expenditures $80 billion, including capital expenditures of $23 billion (FY90 est.) Exports: $17.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: petroleum 90%, carpets, fruits, nuts, hides partners: Japan, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium/Luxembourg, Spain, and Germany Imports: $15.9 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery, military supplies, metal works, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, technical services, refined oil products partners: Germany, Japan, Italy, UK, France External debt: $10 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 14,579,000 kW capacity; 40,000 million kWh produced, 740 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other building materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), metal fabricating (steel and copper) Agriculture: 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 international drug trade Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-80), $1.0 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.675 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $976 million; note - aid fell sharply following the 1979 revolution :Iran Economy:Iran Economy Currency: Iranian rial (plural - rials); 1 Iranian rial (IR) = 100 dinars; note - domestic figures are generally referred to in terms of the toman (plural - tomans), which equals 10 rials Exchange rates: Iranian rials (IR) per US$1 - 65.515 (January 1992), 67.505 (1991), 68.096 (1990), 72.015 (1989), 68.683 (1988), 71.460 (1987); note - black-market rate 1,400 (January 1991) Fiscal year: 21 March - 20 March :Iran Communications:Iran Communications Railroads: 4,850 km total; 4,760 km 1.432-meter gauge, 92 km 1.676-meter gauge; 480 km under construction from Bafq to Bandar Abbas, rail construction from Bafq to Sirjan has been completed and is operational Highways: 140,072 km total; 42,694 km paved surfaces; 46,866 km gravel and crushed stone; 49,440 km improved earth; 1,200 km (est.) rural road network Inland waterways: 904 km; the Shatt-al-Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km, but closed since September 1980 because of Iran-Iraq war Pipelines: crude oil 5,900 km; petroleum products 3,900 km; natural gas 4,550 km Ports: Abadan (largely destroyed in fighting during 1980-88 war), Bandar Beheshti, Bandar-e Abbas, Bandar-e Bushehr, Bandar-e Khomeyni, Bandar-e Shahid Raja, Khorramshahr (largely destroyed in fighting during 1980-88 war) Merchant marine: 134 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,466,395 GRT/8,329,760 DWT; includes 38 cargo, 6 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 32 oil tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 3 refrigerated cargo, 47 bulk, 2 combination bulk, 1 liquefied gas Civil air: 48 major transport aircraft Airports: 214 total, 188 usable; 81 with permanent-surface runways; 16 with runways over 3,659 m; 16 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 71 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: radio relay extends throughout country; system centered in Tehran; 2,143,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 77 AM, 3 FM, 28 TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT; HF radio and radio relay to Turkey, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan :Iran Defense Forces:Iran Defense Forces Branches: Islamic Republic of Iran Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, and Revolutionary Guard Corps (includes Basij militia and own ground, air, and naval forces); Law Enforcement Forces Manpower availability: males 15-49, 13,267,810; 7,895,591 fit for military service; 552,408 reach military age (21) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $13 billion, 14-15% of GNP (1991 est.) :Iraq Geography:Iraq Geography Total area: 436,245 km2 Land area: 435,292 km2 (est.) Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Idaho Land boundaries: 3,576 km; Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 134 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 808 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 331 km Coastline: 58 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specific Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 April 1991 official Iraqi acceptance of UN Security Council Resolution 687, which demands that Iraq accept the inviolability of the boundary set forth in its 1963 agreement with Kuwait, ending earlier claims to Bubiyan and Warbah Islands or to all of Kuwait; a United Nations Boundary Demarcation Commission is demarcating the Iraq-Kuwait boundary persuant to Resolution 687, and, on 17 June 1992, the UN Security Council reaffirmed the finality of the Boundary Demarcation Commission's decisions; periodic disputes with upstream riparian Syria over Euphrates water rights; 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; northernmost regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows Terrain: mostly broad plains; reedy marshes in southeast; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur Land use: arable land 12%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 9%; forest and woodland 3%; other 75%; includes irrigated 4% Environment: development of Tigris-Euphrates Rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparians (Syria, Turkey); air and water pollution; soil degradation (salinization) and erosion; desertification :Iraq People:Iraq People Population: 18,445,847 (July 1992), growth rate 3.7% (1992) Birth rate: 45 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 84 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Iraqi(s); adjective - Iraqi Ethnic divisions: Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5% Religions: Muslim 97%, (Shi`a 60-65%, Sunni 32-37%), Christian or other 3% Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian Literacy: 60% (male 70%, female 49%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 4,400,000 (1989); services 48%, agriculture 30%, industry 22%, severe labor shortage; expatriate labor force about 1,600,000 (July 1990) Organized labor: less than 10% of the labor force :Iraq Government:Iraq Government Long-form name: Republic of Iraq Type: republic Capital: Baghdad Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'im, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala, Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit Independence: 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Constitution: 22 September 1968, effective 16 July 1970 (interim Constitution); new constitution drafted in 1990 but not adopted Legal system: based on Islamic law in special religious courts, civil law system elsewhere; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 17 July (1968) Executive branch: president, vice president, chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, vice chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, prime minister, first deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani) Judicial branch: Court of Cassation Leaders: Chief of State: President SADDAM Husayn (since 16 July 1979); Vice President Taha Muhyi al-Din MA'RUF (since 21 April 1974); Vice President Taha Yasin RAMADAN (since 23 March 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Muhammad Hamza al-ZUBAYDI (since 13 September 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Tariq `AZIZ (since NA 1979) Suffrage: universal adult at age 18 Elections: National Assembly: last held on 1 April 1989 (next to be held NA); results - Sunni Arabs 53%, Shi`a Arabs 30%, Kurds 15%, Christians 2% est.; seats - (250 total) number of seats by party NA Other political or pressure groups: political parties and activity severely restricted; possibly some opposition to regime from disaffected members of the regime, Army officers, and Shi`a religious and Kurdish ethnic dissidents Member of: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Iraq has an Interest Section in the Algerian Embassy in Washington, DC; Chancery at 1801 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 483-7500 :Iraq Government:Iraq Government US: no US representative in Baghdad since mid-January 1991; Embassy in Masbah Quarter (opposite the Foreign Ministry Club), Baghdad (mailing address is P. O. Box 2447 Alwiyah, Baghdad); telephone [964] (1) 719-6138 or 719-6139, 718-1840, 719-3791 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: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 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 actions by an international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically changed the economic picture. Oil exports were cut to near zero, and industrial and transportation facilities were severely damaged. Throughout 1991, the UN's economic embargo worked to reduce exports and imports and to increase prices for most goods. The government's policy to allocate goods to key supporters of the regime exacerbated shortages. GNP: $35 billion, per capita $1,940; real growth rate 10% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 45% (1989) Unemployment rate: less than 5% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $NA billion; expenditures $NA billion, including capital expenditures of NA (1989) Exports: $10.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: crude oil and refined products, fertilizer, sulfur partners: US, Brazil, Turkey, Japan, Netherlands, Spain (1990) Imports: $6.6 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: manufactures, food partners: FRG, US, Turkey, France, UK (1990) External debt: $45 billion (1989 est.), excluding debt of about $35 billion owed to Arab Gulf states Industrial production: NA%; manufacturing accounts for 10% of GNP (1989) Electricity: 3,800,000 kW available out of 9,902,000 kw capacity due to Gulf war; 7,700 million kWh produced, 430 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum production and refining, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GNP but 30% of labor force; principal products - wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, other fruit, cotton, wool; livestock - cattle, sheep; not self-sufficient in food output :Iraq Economy:Iraq Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-80), $3 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $647 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $3.9 billion Currency: Iraqi dinar (plural - dinars); 1 Iraqi dinar (ID) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: Iraqi dinars (ID) per US$1 - 3.1 (fixed official rate since 1982); black-market rate (December 1991) US$1 = 12 Iraqi dinars Fiscal year: calendar year :Iraq Communications:Iraq Communications Railroads: 2,457 km 1.435-meter standard gauge Highways: 34,700 km total; 17,500 km paved, 5,500 km improved earth, 11,700 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 1,015 km; Shatt-al-Arab usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km, but closed since September 1980 because of Iran-Iraq war; Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have navigable sections for shallow-draft watercraft; Shatt-al-Basrah canal was navigable by shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991 because of the Persian Gulf war Pipelines: crude oil 4,350 km; petroleum products 725 km; natural gas 1,360 km Ports: Umm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr, Al Basrah (closed since 1980) Merchant marine: 42 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 936,665 GRT/1,683,212 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 1 passenger-cargo, 16 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 3 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 19 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker; note - since the 2 August 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces, Iraq has sought to register at least part of its merchant fleet under convenience flags; none of the Iraqi flag merchant fleet was trading internationally as of 1 January 1992 Civil air: 34 major transport aircraft (including 7 grounded in Iran; excluding 12 IL-76s and 7 Kuwait Airlines) Airports: 113 total, 98 usable; 73 with permanent-surface runways; 8 with runways over 3,659 m; 52 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: reconstitution of damaged telecommunication infrastructure began after Desert Storm; the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave links; 632,000 telephones; the network is operational; broadcast stations - 16 AM, 1 FM, 13 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 GORIZONT Atlantic Ocean in the Intersputnik system and 1 ARABSAT; coaxial cable and microwave to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey :Iraq Defense Forces:Iraq Defense Forces Branches: Army and Republican Guard, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard Force, Internal Security Forces Manpower availability: males 15-49, 4,042,374; 2,272,578 fit for military service; 213,788 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GNP :Ireland Geography:Ireland Geography Total area: 70,280 km2 Land area: 68,890 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: 360 km; UK 360 km Coastline: 1,448 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: no precise definition Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Northern Ireland question with the UK; Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area) Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Natural resources: zinc, lead, natural gas, crude oil, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver Land use: arable land 14%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 71%; forest and woodland 5%; other 10% Environment: deforestation :Ireland People:Ireland People Population: 3,521,207 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Irishman(men), Irish (collective pl.); adjective - Irish Ethnic divisions: Celtic, with English minority Religions: Roman Catholic 93%, Anglican 3%, none 1%, unknown 2%, other 1% (1981) Languages: Irish (Gaelic) and English; English is the language generally used, with Gaelic spoken in a few areas, mostly along the western seaboard Literacy: 98% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 1,333,000; services 57.0%, manufacturing and construction 26.1%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 15.0%, energy and mining 1.9% (1991) Organized labor: 58% of labor force (1991) :Ireland Government:Ireland Government Long-form name: none Type: republic Capital: Dublin Administrative divisions: 26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow Independence: 6 December 1921 (from UK) Constitution: 29 December 1937; adopted 1937 Legal system: based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Oireachtas) consists of an upper house or Senate (Seanad Eireann) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Dail Eireann) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Mary Bourke ROBINSON (since 9 November 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister Albert REYNOLDS (since 11 February 1992) Political parties and leaders: Fianna Fail, Albert REYNOLDS; Labor Party, Richard SPRING; Fine Gael, John BRUTON; Communist Party of Ireland, Michael O'RIORDAN; Workers' Party (vacant); Sinn Fein, Gerry ADAMS; Progressive Democrats, Desmond O'MALLEY; note - Prime Minister REYNOLDS heads a coalition consisting of the Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 9 November 1990 (next to be held November 1997); results - Mary Bourke ROBINSON 52.8%, Brian LENIHAN 47.2% Senate: last held on 17 February 1987 (next to be held February 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total, 49 elected) Fianna Fail 30, Fine Gael 16, Labor 3, independents 11 House of Representatives: last held on 12 July 1989 (next to be held June 1994); results - Fianna Fail 44.0%, Fine Gael 29.4%, Labor Party 9.3%, Progressive Democrats 5.4%, Workers' Party 4.9%, Sinn Fein 1.1%, independents 5.9%; seats - (166 total) Fianna Fail 77, Fine Gael 55, Labor Party 15, Workers' Party 7, Progressive Democrats 6, independents 6 Communists: under 500 :Ireland Government:Ireland Government Member of: AG, BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NEA, NSG, OECD, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Dermot GALLAGHER; Chancery at 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 462-3939; there are Irish Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco US: Ambassador Richard A. MOORE; Embassy at 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin; telephone [353] (1) 688777; FAX [353] (1) 689-946 Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of the Ivory Coast, 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:Ireland Economy Overview: The economy is small, open, and trade dependent. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 37% of GDP and about 80% of exports and employs 26% of the labor force. The government has successfully reduced the rate of inflation from double-digit figures in the late 1970s to 3.8% in 1991. In 1987, after years of deficits, the balance of payments was brought into the black. Unemployment, however, remains a serious problem. A 1991 unemployment rate of 20.4% placed Ireland along with Spain as the countries with the worst jobless records in Western Europe. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $39.2 billion, per capita $11,200; real growth rate 1.3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.8% (1991) Unemployment rate: 20.4% (1991) Budget: revenues $11.4 billion; expenditures $12.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.6 billion (1992 est.) Exports: $27.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: chemicals, data processing equipment, industrial machinery, live animals, animal products partners: EC 74% (UK 34%, Germany 11%, France 10%), US 8% Imports: $24.5 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: food, animal feed, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, machinery, textiles, clothing partners: EC 66% (UK 41%, Germany 9%, France 4%), US 14% External debt: $14.8 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 3.0% (1991); accounts for 37% of GDP Electricity: 4,957,000 kW capacity; 14,480 million kWh produced, 4,080 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food products, brewing, textiles, clothing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, transportation equipment, glass and crystal Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GDP and 15% of the labor force; 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 Economic aid: donor - ODA commitments (1980-89), $90 million Currency: Irish pound (plural - pounds); 1 Irish pound (#Ir) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Irish pounds (#Ir) per US$1 - 0.6227 (March 1992), 0.6190 (1991), 0.6030 (1990), 0.7472 (1989), 0.6553 (1988), 0.6720 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Ireland Communications:Ireland Communications Railroads: Irish National Railways (CIE) operates 1,947 km 1.602-meter gauge, government owned; 485 km double track; 38 km electrified Highways: 92,294 km total; 87,422 km paved, 4,872 km gravel or crushed stone Inland waterways: limited for commercial traffic Pipelines: natural gas 225 km Ports: Cork, Dublin, Shannon Estuary, Waterford Merchant marine: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 146,081 GRT/177,058 DWT; includes 4 short-sea passenger, 32 cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo, 3 container, 3 petroleum tanker, 3 specialized tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 6 bulk Civil air: 23 major transport aircraft Airports: 36 total, 35 usable; 17 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 6 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: small, modern system using cable and digital microwave circuits; 900,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 45 FM, 86 TV; 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Ireland Defense Forces:Ireland Defense Forces Branches: Army (including Naval Service and Air Corps), National Police (GARDA) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 894,421; 724,262 fit for military service; 34,182 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $566 million, 1-2% of GDP (1992 est.) :Israel Header:Israel Header Note: The Arab territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the data below. As stated in the 1978 Camp David Accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post-Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. The Camp David Accords further specify that these negotiations will resolve the location of the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip has yet to be determined (see West Bank and Gaza Strip entries). On 25 April 1982 Israel relinquished control of the Sinai to Egypt. Statistics for the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights are included in the Syria entry. :Israel Geography:Israel Geography Total area: 20,770 km2 Land area: 20,330 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than New Jersey Land boundaries: 1,006 km; Egypt 255 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307, Gaza Strip 51 km Coastline: 273 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Territorial sea: 6 nm Disputes: separated from Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank by the 1949 Armistice Line; differences with Jordan over the location of the 1949 Armistice Line that separates the two countries; West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied with status to be determined; Golan Heights is Israeli occupied; Israeli troops in southern Lebanon since June 1982; water-sharing issues with Jordan Climate: temperate; hot and dry in desert areas Terrain: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley Natural resources: copper, phosphates, bromide, potash, clay, sand, sulfur, asphalt, manganese, small amounts of natural gas and crude oil Land use: arable land 17%; permanent crops 5%; meadows and pastures 40%; forest and woodland 6%; other 32%; includes irrigated 11% Environment: sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; limited arable land and natural water resources pose serious constraints; deforestation Note: there are 175 Jewish settlements in the West Bank, 38 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 18 in the Gaza Strip, and 14 Israeli-built Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem :Israel People:Israel People Population: 4,748,059 (July 1992), growth rate 4.0% (1992); includes 95,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank, 14,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 4,000 in the Gaza Strip, and 132,000 in East Jerusalem (1992 est.) Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 26 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 76 years male, 80 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Israeli(s); adjective - Israeli Ethnic divisions: Jewish 83%, non-Jewish (mostly Arab) 17% Religions: Judaism 82%, Islam (mostly Sunni Muslim) 14%, Christian 2%, Druze and other 2% Languages: Hebrew (official); Arabic used officially for Arab minority; English most commonly used foreign language Literacy: 92% (male 95%, female 89%) age 15 and over can read and write (1983) Labor force: 1,400,000 (1984 est.); public services 29.3%; industry, mining, and manufacturing 22.8%; commerce 12.8%; finance and business 9.5%; transport, storage, and communications 6.8%; construction and public works 6.5%; personal and other services 5.8%; agriculture, forestry, and fishing 5.5%; electricity and water 1.0% (1983) Organized labor: 90% of labor force :Israel Government:Israel Government Long-form name: State of Israel Type: republic Capital: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv Administrative divisions: 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv Independence: 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Constitution: no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the basic laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law Legal system: mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day; Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May Executive branch: president, prime minister, vice prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral parliament (Knesset) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Chaim HERZOG (since 5 May 1983) Head of Government: Prime Minister Yitzhak SHAMIR (since 20 October 1986) Political parties and leaders: Israel currently has a coalition government comprising 12 parties that hold 66 of the Knesset's 120 seats; currently in state of flux; election held 23 June 1992 Members of the government: Likud bloc, Prime Minister Yitzhak SHAMIR; Sephardic Torah Guardians (SHAS), Minister of Interior Arieh DER'I; National Religious Party, Minister of Education Shulamit ALONI; Agudat Israel, Avraham SHAPIRA; Degel HaTorah, Avraham RAVITZ; Moriya, Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Yair TZABAN; Ge'ulat Israel, Eliezer MIZRAHI; New Liberal Party, Minister of Finance, Avraham SHOCHAT; Tehiya Party, Minister of Science Technology, Yuval NEEMAN; Tzomet Party Unity for Peace and Aliyah, Rafael EITAN; Moledet Party, Rehavam ZEEVI Opposition parties: Labor Party, Shimon PERES; Citizens' Rights Movement, Shulamit ALONI; United Workers' Party (MAPAM), Yair TZABAN; Center Movement-Shinui, Amnon RUBENSTEIN; New Israeli Communist Party (MAKI), Meir WILNER; Progressive List for Peace, Muhammad MI'ARI; Arab Democratic Party, `Abd Al Wahab DARAWSHAH; Black Panthers, Charlie BITON Suffrage: universal at age 18 :Israel Government:Israel Government Elections: President: last held 23 February 1988 (next to be held February 1994); results - Chaim HERZOG reelected by Knesset Knesset: last held June 1992 (next to be held by NA; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) Labor Party 44, Likud bloc 12, SHAS 6, National Religious Party 6, Meretz 12, Agudat Yisrael 4, PAZI 3, MAKI 3, Tehiya Party 3, Tzomet Party 8, Moledet Party 3, Degel HaTorah 4, Center Movement Progressive List for Peace 1, Arab Democratic Party 2; Black Panthers 1, Moriya 1, Ge'ulat Yisrael 1, Unity for Peace and Aliyah 1 Communists: Hadash (predominantly Arab but with Jews in its leadership) has some 1,500 members Other political or pressure groups: Gush Emunim, Jewish nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Peace Now, critical of government's West Bank/Gaza Strip and Lebanon policies Member of: AG (observer), CCC, EBRD, FAO, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, OAS (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Zalman SHOVAL; Chancery at 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 364-5500; there are Israeli Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco US: Ambassador William HARROP; Embassy at 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv (mailing address is APO AE 09830; telephone [972] (3) 654338; FAX [972] (3) 663449; there is a US Consulate General in Jerusalem Flag: white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag :Israel Economy: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 20% of Israeli workers, agriculture 5%, and services most of the rest. Diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are leading exports. Israel usually posts balance-of-payments deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's $17 billion 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. Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 dealt a blow to Israel's economy. Higher world oil prices added an estimated $300 million to the oil import bill that year and helped keep annual inflation at 18%. Regional tension and the continuing Palestinian uprising (intifadah) have contributed to a sharp drop in tourism - a key foreign exchange earner - to the lowest level since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. The influx of Jewish immigrants from the former USSR, which topped 330,000 during the period 1990-91, will increase unemployment, intensify housing problems, widen the government budget deficit, and fuel inflation. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $54.6 billion, per capita $12,000; real growth rate 5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 11% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $41.7 billion; expenditures $47.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92) Exports: $12.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: polished diamonds, citrus and other fruits, textiles and clothing, processed foods, fertilizer and chemical products, military hardware, electronics partners: US, EC, Japan, Hong Kong, Switzerland Imports: $18.1 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: military equipment, rough diamonds, oil, chemicals, machinery, iron and steel, cereals, textiles, vehicles, ships, aircraft partners: US, EC, Switzerland, Japan, South Africa, Canada, Hong Kong External debt: $24 billion, of which government debt is $17 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate - 7% (1991 est.); accounts for about 20% of GDP Electricity: 5,300,000 kWh capacity; 21,000 million kWh produced, 4,800 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, diamond cutting and polishing, textiles, clothing, chemicals, metal products, military equipment, transport equipment, electrical equipment, miscellaneous machinery, potash mining, high-technology electronics, tourism :Israel Economy:Israel Economy Agriculture: accounts for about 3% of GDP; largely self-sufficient in food production, except for grains; principal products - citrus and other fruits, vegetables, cotton; livestock products - beef, dairy, and poultry Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $18.2 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.8 billion Currency: new Israeli shekel (plural - shekels); 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.4019 (March 1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987) Fiscal year: previously 1 April - 31 March; FY91 was 1 April - 31 December, and since 1 January 1992 the fiscal year has conformed to the calendar year :Israel Communications:Israel Communications Railroads: 600 km 1.435-meter gauge, single track; diesel operated Highways: 4,750 km; majority is bituminous surfaced Pipelines: crude oil 708 km; petroleum products 290 km; natural gas 89 km Ports: Ashdod, Haifa Merchant marine: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 629,966 GRT/721,106 DWT; includes 8 cargo, 23 container, 2 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off; note - Israel also maintains a significant flag of convenience fleet, which is normally at least as large as the Israeli flag fleet; the Israeli flag of convenience fleet typically includes all of its petroleum tankers Civil air: 32 major transport aircraft Airports: 51 total, 44 usable; 26 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 11 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: most highly developed in the Middle East although not the largest; good system of coaxial cable and radio relay; 1,800,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 14 AM, 21 FM, 20 TV; 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT :Israel Defense Forces:Israel Defense Forces Branches: Israel Defense Forces, including ground, naval, and air components; historically, there have been no separate Israeli military services Manpower availability: eligible 15-49, 2,357,195; of the 1,189,275 males 15-49, 977,332 are fit for military service; of the 1,167,920 females 15-49, 955,928 are fit for military service; 44,624 males and 42,705 females reach military age (18) annually; both sexes are liable for military service; Nahal or Pioneer Fighting Youth, Frontier Guard, Chen Defense expenditures: $7.5 billion, 12.1% of GNP (1992 budget); note - does not include pay for reserve soldiers and other defense-related categories; actual outlays would therefore be higher :Italy Geography:Italy Geography Total area: 301,230 km2 Land area: 294, 020 km2; includes Sardinia and Sicily Comparative area: slightly larger than Arizona Land boundaries: 1,899.2 km; Austria 430 km, France 488 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 199 km, Switzerland 740 km, Vatican City 3.2 km Coastline: 4,996 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Territorial sea: 12 nm 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%; includes irrigated 10% Environment: regional risks include land-slides, mudflows, snowslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding, pollution; land sinkage in Venice Note: strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe :Italy People:Italy People Population: 57,904,628 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 10 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Italian(s); adjective - Italian Ethnic divisions: primarily Italian but population includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south; Sicilians; Sardinians Religions: virtually 100% Roman Catholic Languages: Italian; parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking; small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region; Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area Literacy: 97% (male 98%, female 96%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 23,988,000; services 58%, industry 32.2%, agriculture 9.8% (1988) Organized labor: 40-45% of labor force (est.) :Italy Government:Italy Government Long-form name: Italian Republic Type: republic Capital: Rome Administrative divisions: 20 regions (regioni, singular - regione); Abruzzi, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Toscana, Trentino-Alto Adige, Umbria, Valle d'Aosta, Veneto Independence: 17 March 1861, Kingdom of Italy proclaimed 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 National holiday: Anniversary of the Republic, 2 June (1946) Executive branch: president, prime minister (president of the Council of Ministers) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlamento) consists of an upper chamber or Senate of the Republic (Senato della Repubblica) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (Corte Costituzionale) Leaders: Chief of State: President Oscar Luigi SCALFARO (since 28 May 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Guiliano AMATO (since 28 June 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (DC), Arnaldo FORLANI (general secretary), Ciriaco De MITA (president); Socialist Party (PSI), Bettino CRAXI (party secretary); Social Democratic Party (PSDI), Carlo VIZZINI (party secretary); Liberal Party (PLI), Renato ALTISSIMO (secretary general); Democratic Party of the Left (PDS - was Communist Party, or PCI, until January 1991), Achille OCCHETTO (secretary general); Italian Social Movement (MSI), Gianfranco FINI (national secretary); Republican Party (PRI), Giorgio La MALFA (political secretary); Lega Nord (Northern League), Umberto BOSSI, president Suffrage: universal at age 18 (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25) Elections: Senate: last held 5-6 April 1992 (next to be held by April 1997); results - DC 33.9%, PCI 28.3%, PSI 10.7%, other 27.1%; seats - (326 total, 315 elected) DC 107, PDS 64, PSI 49, Leagues 25, other 70 Chamber of Deputies: last held 5-6 April 1992 (next to be held April 1997); results - DC 29.7%, PDS 26.6%, PSI 13.6%, Leagues 8.7%, Communist Renewal 5.6%, MSI 5.4%, PRI 4.4%, PLI 2.8%, PSDI 2.7%, other 11% :Italy Government:Italy Government Other political or pressure groups: the Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union confederations (CGIL - Communist dominated, CISL - Christian Democratic, and UIL - Social Democratic, Socialist, and Republican); Italian manufacturers association (Confindustria); organized farm groups (Confcoltivatori, Confagricoltura) Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), Australia Group, AsDB, BIS, CCC, CDB (nonregional member), CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-7, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IEA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, MTCR, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Boris BIANCHERI CHIAPPORI; Chancery at 1601 Fuller Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 328-5500; there are Italian Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Consulates in Detroit and Newark (New Jersey) US: Ambassador Peter F. SECCHIA; Embassy at Via Veneto 119/A, 00187, Rome (mailing address is APO AE 09624); telephone [39] (6) 46741, FAX [39] (6) 467-2356; there are US Consulates General in Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, and Palermo (Sicily) 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 Ivory Coast, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green :Italy Economy:Italy Economy Overview: Since World War II the 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 small private companies, and an undeveloped agricultural south, dominated by large public enterprises. Services account for 48% of GDP, industry about 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 annual average rate of 3% during the period 1983-90, growth slowed to about 1% in 1991. For the 1990s, Italy faces the problems of refurbishing a tottering communications system, curbing pollution in major industrial centers, and adjusting to the new competitive forces accompanying the ongoing economic integration of the European Community. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $965.0 billion, per capita $16,700; real growth rate 1.0% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (1991) Unemployment rate: 11.0% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $431 billion; expenditures $565 billion, including capital expenditures of $48 billion (1991) Exports: $209 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: textiles, wearing apparel, metals, transportation equipment, chemicals partners: EC 58.5%, US 8%, OPEC 4% Imports: $222 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: petroleum, industrial machinery, chemicals, metals, food, agricultural products partners: EC 58%, OPEC 7%, US 5% External debt: NA Industrial production: growth rate - 2.0% (1991); accounts for almost 35% of GDP Electricity: 57,500,000 kW capacity; 235,000 million kWh produced, 4,072 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics Agriculture: accounts for about 4% of GDP and 10% of the work force; self-sufficient in foods other than meat and dairy products; principal crops - fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; fish catch of 388,200 metric tons in 1988 Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $25.9 billion Currency: Italian lira (plural - lire); 1 Italian lira (Lit) = 100 centesimi Exchange rates: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,248.4 (March 1992), 1,240.6 (January 1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988), 1,296.1 (1987) :Italy Economy:Italy Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Italy Communications:Italy Communications Railroads: 20,011 km total; 16,066 km 1.435-meter government-owned standard gauge (8,999 km electrified); 3,945 km privately owned - 2,100 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (1,155 km electrified) and 1,845 km 0.950-meter narrow gauge (380 km electrified) Highways: 294,410 km total; autostrada (expressway) 5,900 km, state highways 45,170 km, provincial highways 101,680 km, communal highways 141,660 km; 260,500 km paved, 26,900 km gravel and crushed stone, 7,010 km earth Inland waterways: 2,400 km for various types of commercial traffic, although of limited overall value Pipelines: crude oil 1,703 km; petroleum products 2,148 km; natural gas 19,400 km Ports: Cagliari (Sardinia), Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, Naples, Palermo (Sicily), Taranto, Trieste, Venice Merchant marine: 546 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,004,462 GRT/10,265,132 DWT; includes 17 passenger, 39 short-sea passenger, 94 cargo, 4 refrigerated cargo, 24 container, 66 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 9 vehicle carrier, 1 multifunction large-load carrier, 1 livestock carrier, 142 petroleum tanker, 33 chemical tanker, 39 liquefied gas, 10 specialized tanker, 10 combination ore/oil, 55 bulk, 2 combination bulk Civil air: 125 major transport aircraft Airports: 137 total, 134 usable; 91 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 36 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 39 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: modern, well-developed, fast; 25,600,000 telephones; fully automated telephone, telex, and data services; high-capacity cable and radio relay trunks; very good broadcast service by stations - 135 AM, 28 (1,840 repeaters) FM, 83 (1,000 repeaters) TV; international service by 21 submarine cables; 3 satellite earth stations operating in INTELSAT with 3 Atlantic Ocean antennas and 2 Indian Ocean antennas; also participates in INMARSAT and EUTELSAT systems :Italy Defense Forces:Italy Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri Manpower availability: males 15-49, 14,864,191; 12,980,362 fit for military service; 441,768 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22.7 billion, 2.2% of GDP (1991) :Ivory Coast Geography:Ivory Coast Geography Total area: 322,460 km2 Land area: 318,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: 3,110 km; Burkina 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km Coastline: 515 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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: crude oil, 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%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; severe deforestation :Ivory Coast People:Ivory Coast People Population: 13,497,153 (July 1992), growth rate 3.9% (1992) Birth rate: 47 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 94 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 53 years male, 57 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Ivorian(s); adjective - Ivorian Ethnic divisions: over 60 ethnic groups; most important are the Baoule 23%, Bete 18%, Senoufou 15%, Malinke 11%, and Agni; foreign Africans, mostly Burkinabe about 2 million; non-Africans about 130,000 to 330,000 (French 30,000 and Lebanese 100,000 to 300,000) Religions: indigenous 63%, Muslim 25%, Christian 12%, Languages: French (official), over 60 native dialects; Dioula most widely spoken Literacy: 54% (male 67%, female 40%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 5,718,000; over 85% of population engaged in agriculture, forestry, livestock raising; about 11% of labor force are wage earners, nearly half in agriculture and the remainder in government, industry, commerce, and professions; 54% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: 20% of wage labor force :Ivory Coast Government:Ivory Coast Government Long-form name: Republic of the Ivory Coast; note - the local official name is Republique de Cote d'Ivoire Type: republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 Capital: Yamoussoukro (although Yamoussoukro has been the capital since 1983, Adibjan remains the administrative center; foreign governments, including the United States, maintain presence in Abidjan) Administrative divisions: 49 departments (departements, singular - (departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adzope, Agboville, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou, Guiglo, Issia, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua, Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France) Constitution: 3 November 1960 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 National holiday: National Day, 7 December Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Dr. Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY (since 27 November 1960); Prime Minister Alassane OUATTARA (since 7 November 1990) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast (PDCI), Dr. Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY; Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), Laurent GBAGBO; Ivorian Worker's Party (PIT), Francis WODIE; Ivorian Socialist Party (PSI), Morifere BAMBA; over 20 smaller parties Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President: last held 28 October 1990 (next to be held October 1995); results - President Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY received 81% of the vote in his first contested election; he is currently serving his seventh consecutive five-year term National Assembly: last held 25 November 1990 (next to be held November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (175 total) PDCI 163, FPI 9, PIT 1, independents 2 Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO :Ivory Coast Government:Ivory Coast Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Charles GOMIS; Chancery at 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 797-0300 US: Ambassador Kenneth L. BROWN; Embassy at 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan (mailing address is 01 B. P. 1712, Abidjan); telephone [225] 21-09-79 or 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 :Ivory Coast Economy:Ivory Coast Economy Overview: Ivory Coast 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. The agricultural sector accounts for over one-third of GDP and about 80% of export earnings and employs about 85% of the labor force. A collapse of world cocoa and coffee prices in 1986 threw the economy into a recession, from which the country had not recovered by 1990. Continuing poor prices for commodity exports, an overvalued exchange rate, a bloated public-sector wage bill, and a large foreign debt hindered economic recovery in 1991. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $10 billion, per capita $800; real growth rate -2.9% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.8% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 14% (1985) Budget: revenues $2.8 billion (1989 est.); expenditures $4.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.) Exports: $2.5 billion (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: cocoa 30%, coffee 20%, tropical woods 11%, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, cotton partners: France, FRG, Netherlands, US, Belgium, Spain (1985) Imports: $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: manufactured goods and semifinished products 50%, consumer goods 40%, raw materials and fuels 10% partners: France, other EC, Nigeria, US, Japan (1985) External debt: $15.0 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate - 6% (1989); accounts for 17% of GDP Electricity: 1,210,000 kW capacity; 2,680 million kWh produced, 210 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: foodstuffs, wood processing, oil refinery, automobile assembly, textiles, fertilizer, beverage Agriculture: most important sector, contributing one-third to GDP and 80% to exports; cash crops include coffee, cocoa beans, timber, bananas, palm kernels, rubber; food crops - corn, rice, manioc, sweet potatoes; not self-sufficient in bread grain and dairy products Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis on a small scale for the international drug trade Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $356 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $5.2 billion Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes :Ivory Coast Economy:Ivory Coast Economy Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986) Fiscal year: calendar year :Ivory Coast Communications:Ivory Coast Communications Railroads: 660 km (Burkina border to Abidjan, 1.00-meter gauge, single track, except 25 km Abidjan-Anyama section is double track) Highways: 46,600 km total; 3,600 km paved; 32,000 km gravel, crushed stone, laterite, and improved earth; 11,000 km unimproved Inland waterways: 980 km navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons Ports: Abidjan, San-Pedro Merchant marine: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,957 GRT/ 91,782 DWT; includes 5 cargo, 1 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker Civil air: 14 major transport aircraft, including multinationally owned Air Afrique fleet Airports: 45 total, 39 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: well-developed by African standards but operating well below capacity; consists of open-wire lines and radio relay links; 87,700 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 17 FM, 13 TV, 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station; 2 coaxial submarine cables :Ivory Coast Defense Forces:Ivory Coast Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, Military Fire Group Manpower availability: males 15-49, 3,083,765; 1,597,108 fit for military service; 141,259 males reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $200 million, 2.3% of GDP (1988) :Jamaica Geography:Jamaica Geography Total area: 10,990 km2 Land area: 10,830 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,022 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm 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%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: subject to hurricanes (especially July to November); deforestation; water pollution Note: strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for Panama Canal :Jamaica People:Jamaica People Population: 2,506,701 (July 1992), growth rate 0.9% (1992) Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -8 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 18 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Jamaican(s); adjective - Jamaican Ethnic divisions: African 76.3%, Afro-European 15.1%, East Indian and Afro-East Indian 3.0%, white 3.2%, Chinese and Afro-Chinese 1.2%, other 1.2% Religions: predominantly Protestant 55.9% (Church of God 18.4%, Baptist 10%, Anglican 7.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.9%, Pentecostal 5.2%, Methodist 3.1%, United Church 2.7%, other 2.5%), Roman Catholic 5%, other 39.1%, including some spiritualist cults (1982) Languages: English, Creole Literacy: 98% (male 98%, female 99%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,062,100; services 41%, agriculture 22.5%, industry 19%; unemployed 17.5% (1989) Organized labor: 24% of labor force (1989) :Jamaica Government:Jamaica Government Long-form name: none Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Kingston Administrative divisions: 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland Independence: 6 August 1962 (from UK) Constitution: 6 August 1962 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day (first Monday in August) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Howard COOKE (since 1 August 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister P. J. Patterson (since 30 March 1992) Political parties and leaders: People's National Party (PNP) P. J. Patterson; Jamaica Labor Party (JLP), Edward SEAGA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives: last held 9 February 1989 (next to be held by February 1994); results - PNP 57%, JLP 43%; seats - (60 total) PNP 45, JLP 15 Other political or pressure groups: Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists) Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, GATT, G-15, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Richard BERNAL; Chancery at Suite 355, 1850 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006; telephone (202) 452-0660; there are Jamaican Consulates General in Miami and New York US: Ambassador Glen A. HOLDEN; Embassy at 3rd Floor, Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, Kingston; telephone (809) 929-4850 through 4859, FAX (809) 926-6743 Flag: diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and fly side) :Jamaica Economy:Jamaica Economy Overview: The economy is based on sugar, bauxite, and tourism. In 1985 it suffered a setback with the closure of some facilities in the bauxite and alumina industry, a major source of hard currency earnings. Since 1986 an economic recovery has been under way. In 1987 conditions began to improve for the bauxite and alumina industry because of increases in world metal prices. The recovery has also been supported by growth in the manufacturing and tourism sectors. In September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert inflicted severe damage on crops and the electric power system, a sharp but temporary setback to the economy. By October 1989 the economic recovery from the hurricane was largely complete, and real growth was up about 3% for 1989. In 1991, however, growth dropped to 1.0% as a result of the US recession, lower world bauxite prices, and monetary instability. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $3.6 billion, per capita $1,400; real growth rate 1.0% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 80% (1991 projected) Unemployment rate: 15.1% (1991) Budget: revenues $600 million; expenditures $736 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991, projected) commodities: bauxite, alumina, sugar, bananas partners: US 36%, UK, Canada, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1991 projected) commodities: petroleum, machinery, food, consumer goods, construction goods partners: US 48%, UK, Venezuela, Canada, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago External debt: $3.8 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate - 2.0% (1990); accounts for almost 25% of GDP Electricity: 1,122,000 kW capacity; 2,520 million kWh produced, 1,012 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, bauxite mining, textiles, food processing, light manufactures Agriculture: accounts for about 9% of GDP, 22% of work force, and 17% of exports; commercial crops - sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, potatoes, and vegetables; live-stock and livestock products include poultry, goats, milk; not self-sufficient in grain, meat, and dairy products Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of cannabis; transshipment point for cocaine from Central and South America to North America; government has an active cannabis eradication program Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.2 billion; other countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.6 billion Currency: Jamaican dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Jamaican dollar (J$) = 100 cents :Jamaica Economy:Jamaica Economy Exchange rates: Jamaican dollars (J$) per US$1 - 21.946 (January 1992), 12.116 (1991), 7.184 (1990), 5.7446 (1989), 5.4886 (1988), 5.4867 (1987), 5.4778 (1986) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Jamaica Communications:Jamaica Communications Railroads: 294 km, all 1.435-meter standard gauge, single track Highways: 18,200 km total; 12,600 km paved, 3,200 km gravel, 2,400 km improved earth Pipelines: petroleum products 10 km Ports: Kingston, Montego Bay Merchant marine: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,619 GRT/16,302 DWT; includes 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum tanker, 2 bulk Civil air: 8 major transport aircraft Airports: 36 total, 23 usable; 13 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fully automatic domestic telephone network; 127,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 10 AM, 17 FM, 8 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; 3 coaxial submarine cables :Jamaica Defense Forces:Jamaica Defense Forces Branches: Jamaica Defense Force (including Coast Guard and Air Wing), Jamaica Constabulary Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 640,058; 454,131 fit for military service; no conscription; 26,785 reach minimum volunteer age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $20 million, less than 1% of GDP (FY91) :Jan Mayen Geography:Jan Mayen Geography Total area: 373 km2 Land area: 373 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 124.1 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 10 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 4 nm Disputes: Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims beween Greenland and Jan Mayen 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% Environment: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass; volcanic activity resumed in 1970 Note: located north of the Arctic Circle about 590 km north-northeast of Iceland between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea :Jan Mayen People:Jan Mayen People Population: no permanent inhabitants :Jan Mayen Government:Jan Mayen Government Long-form name: none Type: territory of Norway Capital: none; administered from Oslo, Norway, through a governor (sysselmann) resident in Longyearbyen (Svalbard) :Jan Mayen Economy: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: 15,000 kW capacity; 40 million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita (1989) :Jan Mayen Communications:Jan Mayen Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 with runways 1,220 to 2,439 m Telecommunications: radio and meteorological station :Jan Mayen Defense Forces:Jan Mayen Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Norway :Japan Geography:Japan Geography Total area: 377,835 km2 Land area: 374,744 km2; includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okinotori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) Comparative area: slightly smaller than California Land boundaries: none Coastline: 29,751 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm (3 nm in international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait) Disputes: Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan Islands and the Habomai island group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, claimed by Japan; Liancourt Rocks disputed with South Korea; Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands) claimed by China and Taiwan Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish Land use: arable land 13%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 67%; other 18%; includes irrigated 9% Environment: many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; subject to tsunamis Note: strategic location in northeast Asia :Japan People:Japan People Population: 124,460,481 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4% (1992) Birth rate: 10 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 4 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 77 years male, 82 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Japanese (singular and plural); adjective - Japanese Ethnic divisions: Japanese 99.4%, other (mostly Korean) 0.6% Religions: most Japanese observe both Shinto and Buddhist rites so the percentages add to more than 100% - Shinto 95.8%, Buddhist 76.3%, Christian 1.4%, other 12% (1985) Languages: Japanese Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.) Labor force: 63,330,000; trade and services 54%; manufacturing, mining, and construction 33%; agriculture, forestry, and fishing 7%; government 3% (1988) Organized labor: about 29% of employed workers; public service 76.4%, transportation and telecommunications 57.9%, mining 48.7%, manufacturing 33.7%, services 18.2%, wholesale, retail, and restaurant 9.3% :Japan Government:Japan Government Long-form name: none Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Tokyo Administrative divisions: 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gumma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi Independence: 660 BC, traditional founding by Emperor Jimmu Constitution: 3 May 1947 Legal system: civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Birthday of the Emperor, 23 December (1933) Executive branch: Emperor, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Diet (Kokkai) consists of an upper house or House of Councillors (Sangi-in) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Shugi-in) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Kiichi MIYAZAWA (since 5 November 1991) Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Kiichi MIYAZAWA, president; Tamisuke WATANUKI, secretary general; Social Democratic Party of Japan (SDPJ), Makoto TANABE, Chairman; Democratic Socialist Party (DSP), Keizo OUCHI, chairman; Japan Communist Party (JCP), Tetsuzo FUWA, Presidium chairman; Komeito (Clean Government Party, CGP), Koshiro ISHIDA, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 20 Elections: House of Councillors: last held on 23 July 1989 (next to be held 26 July 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (263 total) LDP 114, SDPJ 71, CGP 20, JCP 14, other 33 House of Representatives: last held on 18 February 1990 (next to be held by February 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (512 total) LDP 278, SDPJ 137, CGP 46, JCP 16, DSP 13, others 5, independents 6, vacant 11 Communists: about 490,000 registered Communist party members :Japan Government:Japan Government Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), Australia Group, APEC, AsDB, BIS, CCC, COCOM, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-2, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Takakazu KURIYAMA; Chancery at 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-6700; there are Japanese Consulates General in Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City (Missouri), Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland (Oregon), and a Consulate in Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) US: Ambassador Michael H. ARMACOST; Embassy at 10-5, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku (107), Tokyo (mailing address is APO AP 96337-0001); telephone [81] (3) 3224-5000; FAX [81] (3) 3505-1862; there are US Consulates General in Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, and Sapporo and a Consulate in Fukuoka Flag: white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center :Japan Economy:Japan Economy Overview: Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, and a comparatively small defense allocation have helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity, notably in high-technology fields. Industry, the most important sector of the economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. Self-sufficent in rice, Japan must import 50% of its requirements for 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. A major contributor to overall growth of 4.5% in 1991 was net exports, which cushioned the effect of slower growth in domestic demand. Inflation remains low at 3.3% and is easing due to lower oil prices and a stronger yen. Japan continues to run a huge trade surplus, $80 billion in 1991, which supports extensive investment in foreign assets. The increased crowding of its habitable land area and the aging of its population are two major long-run problems. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $2,360.7 billion, per capita $19,000; real growth rate 4.5% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (1991) Unemployment rate: 2.1% (1991) Budget: revenues $481 billion; expenditures $531 billion, including capital expenditures (public works only) of about $60 billion (FY91) Exports: $314.3 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: manufactures 97% (including machinery 40%, motor vehicles 18%, consumer electronics 10%) partners: Southeast Asia 31%, US 29%, Western Europe 23%, Communist countries 4%, Middle East 3% Imports: $236.6 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: manufactures 50%, fossil fuels 21%, foodstuffs and raw materials 25% partners: Southeast Asia 25%, US 22%, Western Europe 17%, Middle East 12%, Communist countries 8% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 2.1% (1991); accounts for 30% of GDP (mining and manufacturing) Electricity: 196,000,000 kW capacity; 823,000 million kWh produced, 6,640 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: metallurgy, engineering, electrical and electronic, textiles, chemicals, automobiles, fishing, telecommunications, machine tools, construction equipment 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 11.9 million metric tons in 1988 :Japan Economy:Japan Economy Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $83.2 billion; ODA outlay of $9.1 billion in 1990 (est.) Currency: yen (plural - yen); 1 yen (Y) = 100 sen Exchange rates: yen (Y) per US$1 - 132.70 (March 1992), 134.71 (1991), 144.79 (1990), 137.96 (1989), 128.15 (1988), 144.64 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Japan Communications:Japan Communications Railroads: 27,327 km total; 2,012 km 1.435-meter standard gauge and 25,315 km predominantly 1.067-meter narrow gauge; 5,724 km doubletrack and multitrack sections, 9,038 km 1.067-meter narrow-gauge electrified, 2,012 km 1.435-meter standard-gauge electrified (1987) Highways: 1,111,974 km total; 754,102 km paved, 357,872 km gravel, crushed stone, or unpaved; 4,400 km national expressways; 46,805 km national highways; 128,539 km prefectural roads; and 930,230 km city, town, and village roads Inland waterways: about 1,770 km; seagoing craft ply all coastal inland seas Pipelines: crude oil 84 km; petroleum products 322 km; natural gas 1,800 km Ports: Chiba, Muroran, Kitakyushu, Kobe, Tomakomai, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Yokkaichi, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Niigata, Fushiki-Toyama, Shimizu, Himeji, Wakayama-Shimozu, Shimonoseki, Tokuyama-Shimomatsu Merchant marine: 976 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,684,459 GRT/34,683,035 DWT; includes 10 passenger, 40 short-sea passenger, 3 passenger cargo, 89 cargo, 44 container, 36 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 111 refrigerated cargo, 93 vehicle carrier, 227 petroleum tanker, 11 chemical tanker, 40 liquefied gas, 9 combination ore/oil, 3 specialized tanker, 260 bulk; note - Japan also owns a large flag of convenience fleet, including up to 55% of the total number of ships under the Panamanian flag Civil air: 360 major transport aircraft Airports: 163 total, 158 usable; 131 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 31 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 51 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent domestic and international service; 64,000,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 318 AM, 58 FM, 12,350 TV (196 major - 1 kw or greater); satellite earth stations - 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT; submarine cables to US (via Guam), Philippines, China, and Russia :Japan Defense Forces:Japan Defense Forces Branches: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (Navy), Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force), Maritime Safety Agency (Coast Guard) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 32,219,754; 27,767,280 fit for military service; 1,042,493 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $36.7 billion, 0.94% of GDP (FY92 est.) :Jarvis Island Geography:Jarvis Island Geography Total area: 4.5 km2 Land area: 4.5 km2 Comparative area: about 7.5 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; lacks fresh water; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral cats Note: 2,090 km south of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean, just south of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and the Cook Islands :Jarvis Island People:Jarvis Island People Population: uninhabited Population: 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:Jarvis Island Government Long-form name: none (territory of the US) Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC :Jarvis Island Economy:Jarvis Island Economy Overview: no economic activity :Jarvis Island Communications:Jarvis Island Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only - 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:Jarvis Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard :Jersey Geography:Jersey Geography Total area: 117 km2 Land area: 117 km2 Comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 70 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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 NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest and woodland NA%; other NA%; about 58% of land under cultivation Environment: about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier Note: largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; 27 km from France :Jersey People:Jersey People Population: 85,026 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 6 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Channel Islander(s); adjective - Channel Islander Ethnic divisions: UK and Norman-French descent Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian Languages: English and French (official), with the Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education age 5 to 16 Labor force: NA Organized labor: none :Jersey Government:Jersey Government Long-form name: Bailiwick of Jersey Type: British crown dependency Capital: Saint Helier Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency) Independence: none (British crown dependency) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: English law and local statute National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Executive branch: British monarch, lieutenant governor, bailiff Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the States Judicial branch: Royal Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Air Marshal Sir John SUTTON (since NA 1990); Bailiff Peter CRILL (since NA) Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: Assembly of the States: last held NA (next to be held NA); results - no percent of vote by party since all are independents; seats - (56 total, 52 elected) 52 independents Member of: none 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: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 EC countries. In 1986 the finance sector overtook tourism as the main contributor to GDP, accounting for 40% of the island's output. In recent years the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate 8% (1987 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1988 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $308.0 million; expenditures $284.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1985) Exports: $NA commodities: light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textiles partners: UK Imports: $NA commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals partners: UK External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 50,000 kW standby capacity (1990); power supplied by France Industries: tourism, banking and finance, dairy Agriculture: potatoes, cauliflowers, tomatoes; dairy and cattle farming Economic aid: none Currency: Jersey pound (plural - pounds); 1 Jersey pound (#J) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Jersey pounds (#J) per US$1 - 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986); the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Jersey Communications:Jersey Communications Ports: Saint Helier, Gorey, Saint Aubin Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m (Saint Peter) Telecommunications: 63,700 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 3 submarine cables :Jersey Defense Forces:Jersey Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Johnston Atoll Geography:Johnston Atoll Geography Total area: 2.8 km2 Land area: 2.8 km2 Comparative area: about 4.7 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 10 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: some low-growing vegetation Note: strategic location 717 nautical miles west-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way between Hawaii and the Marshall Islands; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; closed to the public; former nuclear weapons test site; site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS) :Johnston Atoll People:Johnston Atoll People Population: 1,375 (December 1991); all US government personnel and contractors :Johnston Atoll Government:Johnston Atoll Government Long-form name: none (territory of the US) Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) and managed cooperatively by DNA and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US) Flag: the flag of the US is used :Johnston Atoll Economy: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 Communications:Johnston Atoll Communications Ports: Johnston Island Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,743 m Telecommunications: excellent system including 60-channel submarine cable, Autodin/SRT terminal, digital telephone switch, Military Affiliated Radio System (MARS station), commercial satellite television system, and UHF/VHF air-ground radio, marine VHF/FM Channel 16 Note: US Coast Guard operates a LORAN transmitting station (estimated closing date for LORAN is December 1992) :Johnston Atoll Defense Forces:Johnston Atoll Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Jordan Geography:Jordan Geography Total area: 91,880 km2 Land area: 91,540 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: 1,586 km; Iraq 134 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 742 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km Coastline: 26 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 3 nm Disputes: differences with Israel over the location of the 1949 Armistice Line that separates the two countries Climate: mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) Terrain: mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River 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%; includes irrigated 0.5% Environment: lack of natural water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank. As stated in the 1978 Camp David accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post - Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. The Camp David accords also specify that these negotiations will resolve the location of the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip has yet to be determined. :Jordan People:Jordan People Population: 3,557,304 (July 1992), growth rate 4.1% (1992); Palestinians now constitute roughly two-thirds of the population; most are Jordanian citizens Birth rate: 45 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 38 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 73 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Jordanian(s); adjective - Jordanian Ethnic divisions: Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 8% Languages: Arabic (official); English widely understood among upper and middle classes Literacy: 80% (male 89%, female 70%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 572,000 (1988); agriculture 20%, manufacturing and mining 20% (1987 est.) Organized labor: about 10% of labor force :Jordan Government:Jordan Government Long-form name: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Amman Administrative divisions: 8 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, `Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Ma`an Independence: 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration; formerly Transjordan) 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 25 May (1946) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Majlis al-`Umma) consists of an upper house or House of Notables (Majlis al-A`ayan) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Majlis al-Nuwaab); note - the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved by the King several times since 1974 and in November 1989 the first parliamentary elections in 22 years were held Judicial branch: Court of Cassation Leaders: Chief of State: King HUSSEIN Ibn Talal Al Hashemi (since 11 August 1952) Head of Government: Prime Minister Zayd bin SHAKIR (since 21 November 1991) Political parties and leaders: approximately 24 parties have been formed since the National Charter, but the number fluctuates; after the 1989 parliamentary elections, King Hussein promised to allow the formation of political parties; a national charter that sets forth the ground rules for democracy in Jordan - including the creation of political parties - was approved in principle by the special National Conference on 9 June 1991, but its specific provisions have yet to be passed by National Assembly Suffrage: universal at age 20 Elections: House of Representatives: last held 8 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (80 total) Muslim Brotherhood (fundamentalist) 22, Independent Islamic bloc (generally traditionalist) 6, Democratic bloc (mostly leftist) 9, Constitutionalist bloc (traditionalist) 17, Nationalist bloc (traditionalist) 16, independent 10 Member of: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO :Jordan Government:Jordan Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Hussein A. HAMMAMI; Chancery at 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 966-2664 US: Ambassador Roger Gram HARRISON; Embassy on Jebel Amman, Amman (mailing address is P. O. Box 354, Amman, or APO AE 09892); telephone [962] (6) 644-371 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:Jordan Economy Overview: Jordan benefited from increased Arab aid during the oil boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when its annual GNP growth averaged more than 10%. In the remainder of the 1980s, however, reductions in both Arab aid and worker remittances slowed economic growth to an average of roughly 2% per year. Imports - mainly oil, capital goods, consumer durables, and food - have been outstripping 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 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 and worker remittances have plunged, and refugees have flooded the country, straining government resources. Economic recovery is unlikely without substantial foreign aid, debt relief, and economic reform. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $3.6 billion, per capita $1,100; real growth rate 3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 40% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $1.7 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: phosphates, fertilizers, potash, agricultural products, manufactures partners: India, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, UAE, China Imports: $2.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, food, live animals, manufactured goods partners: EC, US, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Turkey External debt: $9 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1% (1991 est.); accounts for 20% of GDP Electricity: 1,025,000 kW capacity; 3,900 million kWh produced, 1,150 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: phosphate mining, petroleum refining, cement, potash, light manufacturing Agriculture: accounts for about 7% of GDP; principal products are wheat, barley, citrus fruit, tomatoes, melons, olives; livestock - sheep, goats, poultry; large net importer of food Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.7 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $9.5 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $44 million Currency: Jordanian dinar (plural - dinars); 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils :Jordan Economy:Jordan Economy Exchange rates: Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.6861 (March 1992), 0.6807 1991), 0.6636 (1990), 0.5704 (1989), 0.3709 (1988), 0.3387 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Jordan Communications:Jordan Communications Railroads: 619 km 1.050-meter gauge, single track Highways: 7,500 km; 5,500 km asphalt, 2,000 km gravel and crushed stone Pipelines: crude oil 209 km Ports: Al `Aqabah Merchant marine: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 60,378 GRT/113,557 DWT; includes 1 cargo and 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 23 major transport aircraft Airports: 19 total, 15 usable; 14 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 13 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate telephone system of microwave, cable, and radio links; 81,500 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 FM, 8 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT, 1 domestic TV receive-only; coaxial cable and microwave to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria; microwave link to Lebanon is inactive; participates in a microwave network linking Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco :Jordan Defense Forces:Jordan Defense Forces Branches: Jordan Arab Army, Royal Jordanian Air Force, Royal Jordanian Navy, Public Security Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 808,725; 576,934 fit for military service; 39,310 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $404 million, 9.5% of GDP (1990) :Juan de Nova Island Geography:Juan de Nova Island Geography Total area: 4.4 km2 Land area: 4.4 km2 Comparative area: about 7.5 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none 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 Disputes: claimed by Madagascar Climate: tropical Terrain: undetermined 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% Environment: subject to periodic cyclones; wildlife sanctuary Note: located in the central Mozambique Channel about halfway between Africa and Madagascar :Juan de Nova Island People:Juan de Nova Island People Population: uninhabited :Juan de Nova Island Government:Juan de Nova Island Government Long-form name: none Type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE, resident in Reunion Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion :Juan de Nova Island Economy:Juan de Nova Island Economy Overview: no economic activity :Juan de Nova Island Communications:Juan de Nova Island Communications Railroads: short line going to a jetty Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 with non-permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m :Juan de Nova Island Defense Forces:Juan de Nova Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Kazakhstan Geography:Kazakhstan Geography Total area: 2,717,300 km2 Land area: 2,669,800 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than four times the size of Texas Land boundaries: 12,012 km; China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,051 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km Coastline: 0 km note: Kazakhstan does border the Aral Sea (1,015 km) and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km) Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: dry continental, about half is desert 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: petroleum, coal, iron, manganese, chrome, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium, iron Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: drying up of Aral Sea is causing increased concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; industrial pollution :Kazakhstan People:Kazakhstan People Population: 17,103,927 (July 1992), growth rate 1.0% (1992) Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -6.1 migrants/1,000 population (1991) Infant mortality rate: 25.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 72 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Kazakh(s); adjective - Kazakhstani Ethnic divisions: Kazakh (Qazaq) 40%, Russian 38%, other Slavs 7%, Germans 6%, other 9% Religions: Muslim 47% Russian Orthodox NA%, Lutheran NA% Languages: Kazakh (Qazaq; official language), Russian Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 8,267,000 (1989) Organized labor: official trade unions, independent coal miners' union :Kazakhstan Government:Kazakhstan Government Long-form name: Republic of Kazakhstan Type: republic Capital: Alma-Ata (Almaty) Administrative divisions: 19 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast'); Aktyubinsk, Alma-Ata, Atyrau, Chimkent, Dzhambul, Dzhezkazgan, Karaganda, Kokchetav, Kustanay, Kzyl-Orda, Mangistauz (Aqtau), Pavlodar, Semipalatinsk, Severo-Kazakhstan (Petropavlovsk), Taldy-Kurgan, Tselinograd, Turgay (Arkalyk), Ural'sk, Vostochno-Kazakhstan (Ust'-Kamenogorsk); note - an oblast has the same name as its administrative center (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 16 December 1991; from the Soviet Union (formerly the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic) Constitution: new postindependence constitution under preparation Legal system: NA National holiday: NA Executive branch: president with presidential appointed cabinet of ministers Legislative branch: Supreme Soviet Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (since April 1990), Vice President Yerik ASANBAYEV (since 1 December 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Sergey TERESHCHENKO (since 14 October 1991), Deputy Prime Minister Davlat SEMBAYEV (since November 1990) Political parties and leaders: Peoples Forum Party, Olzhas SULEIMENOV and Mukhtar SHAKHANOV, co-chairmen; Socialist Party (former Communist Party), Anuar ALIJANOV, chairman; ZHOLTOKSAN, Hasan KOJAKHETOV, chairmen; AZAT Party, Sabitkazi AKETAEV, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 1 December 1991 (next to be held NA); percent of vote by party NA; seats - (NA total) percent of seats by party NA Communists: party disbanded 6 September 1992 Member of: CIS, CSCE, IMF, NACC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD Diplomatic representation: Ambassador NA; Chancery at NA NW, Washington, DC 200__; telephone NA; there are NA Consulates General US: Ambassador-designate William Courtney; Embassy at Hotel Kazakhstan, Alma-Ata, (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone 8-011-7-3272-61-90-56 Flag: no national flag yet adopted :Kazakhstan Economy:Kazakhstan Economy Overview: The second-largest in area of the 15 former Soviet republics, Kazakhstan has vast oil, coal, and agricultural resources. Kazakhstan is highly dependent on trade with Russia, exchanging its natural resources for finished consumer and industrial goods. Kazakhstan now finds itself with serious pollution problems, backward technology, and little experience in foreign markets. The government in 1991 pushed privatization of the economy at a faster pace than Russia's program. The ongoing transitional period - marked by sharp inflation in wages and prices, lower output, lost jobs, and disruption of time-honored channels of supply - has brought considerable social unrest. Kazakhstan lacks the funds, technology, and managerial skills for a quick recovery of output. US firms have been enlisted to increase oil output but face formidable obstacles; for example, oil can now reach Western markets only through pipelines that run across independent (and sometimes unfriendly) former Soviet republics. Finally, the end of monolithic Communist control has brought ethnic grievances into the open. The 6 million Russians in the republic, formerly the favored class, now face the hostility of a society dominated by Muslims. Ethnic rivalry will be just one of the formidable obstacles to the creation of a productive, technologically advancing society. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $NA; per capita NA; real growth rate - 7% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 83% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA million; expenditures $NA million, including capital expenditures of $1.76 billion (1991) Exports: $4.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: oil, ferrous and nonferrous metals, chemicals, grain, wool, meat (1991) partners: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Imports: $NA million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and parts, industrial materials partners: Russia and other former Soviet republics External debt: $2.6 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0.7% (1991) Electricity: 17,900,000 kW capacity; 79,100 million kWh produced, 4,735 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: 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: employs 30% of the labor force; grain, mostly spring wheat; meat, cotton, wool :Kazakhstan Economy:Kazakhstan Economy Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $NA billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Kazakhstan Communications:Kazakhstan Communications Railroads: 14,460 km (all 1.520-meter gauge); does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 189,000 km total (1990); 188,900 km hard surfaced (paved or gravel), 80,900 km earth Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil NA km, refined products NA km, natural gas NA Ports: none - landlocked; inland - Guryev Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: NA Telecommunications: telephone service is poor, with only about 6 telephones for each 100 persons; of the approximately 1 million telephones, Alma-Ata has 184,000; international traffic with other former USSR republics and China carried by landline and microwave, and with other countries by satellite and through the Moscow international gateway switch; satellite earth stations - INTELSAT and Orbita :Kazakhstan Defense Forces:Kazakhstan Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground, Air, Air Defense, and Strategic Rocket) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Kenya Geography:Kenya Geography Total area: 582,650 km2 Land area: 569,250 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada Land boundaries: 3,477 km; Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km Coastline: 536 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international boundary; possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnic Somalis Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west Natural resources: gold, limestone, soda ash, salt barytes, rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 7%; forest and woodland 4%; other 85%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; glaciers on Mt. Kenya Note: the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa :Kenya People:Kenya People Population: 26,164,473 (July 1992), growth rate 3.6% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 68 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Kenyan(s); adjective - Kenyan Ethnic divisions: Kikuyu 21%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 11%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, Asian, European, and Arab 1% Religions: Protestant 38%, Roman Catholic 28%, indigenous beliefs 26%, Muslim 6% Languages: English and Swahili (official); numerous indigenous languages Literacy: 69% (male 80%, female 58%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 9.2 million (includes unemployed); the total employed is 1.37 million (14.8% of the labor force); services 54.8%, industry 26.2%, agriculture 19.0% (1989) Organized labor: 390,000 (est.) :Kenya Government:Kenya Government Long-form name: Republic of Kenya Type: republic Capital: Nairobi Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK; formerly British East Africa) Constitution: 12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, and 1991 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 12 December (1963) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Bunge) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, High Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Daniel Teroitich arap MOI (since 14 October 1978); Vice President George SAITOTI (since 10 May 1989) Political parties and leaders: ruling party is Kenya African National Union (KANU), Daniel T. arap MOI, president; opposition parties include Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD), Oginga ODINJA; Democratic Party of Kenya (DP), KIBAKI; note - some dozen other opposition parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held on 21 March 1988 (next to be held before March 1993); results - President Daniel T. arap MOI was reelected National Assembly: last held on 21 March 1988 (next to be held before March 1993); will be first multiparty election since repeal of one-party state law Other political or pressure groups: labor unions; exile opposition - Mwakenya and other groups Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Denis Daudi AFANDE; Chancery at 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 387-6101; there are Kenyan Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York :Kenya Government:Kenya Government US: Ambassador Smith HEMPSTONE, Jr.; Embassy at the corner of Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi (mailing address is P. O. Box 30137, Nairobi or APO AE 09831); telephone [254] (2) 334141; FAX [254] (2) 340838; there is a US Consulate in Mombasa 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:Kenya Economy Overview: Kenya's 3.6% annual population growth rate - one of the highest in the world - presents a serious problem for the country's economy. In the meantime, GDP growth in the near term has kept slightly ahead of population - annually averaging 4.9% in the 1986-90 period. Undependable weather conditions and a shortage of arable land hamper long-term growth in agriculture, the leading economic sector. In 1991, deficient rainfall, stagnant export volume, and sagging export prices held economic growth below the all-important population growth figure. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $9.7 billion, per capita $385 (1989 est.); real growth rate 2.3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.3% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA%, but there is a high level of unemployment and underemployment Budget: revenues $2.4 billion; expenditures $2.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $0.74 billion (FY90) Exports: $1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: tea 25%, coffee 21%, petroleum products 7% (1989) partners: EC 44%, Africa 25%, Asia 5%, US 5%, Middle East 4% (1988) Imports: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 29%, petroleum and petroleum products 15%, iron and steel 7%, raw materials, food and consumer goods (1989) partners: EC 45%, Asia 11%, Middle East 12%, US 5% (1988) External debt: $6.0 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.4% (1989 est.); accounts for 17% of GDP Electricity: 730,000 kW capacity; 2,700 million kWh produced, 110 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural processing, oil refining, cement, tourism Agriculture: most important sector, accounting for 29% of GDP, about 19% of the work force, and over 50% of exports; cash crops - coffee, tea, sisal, pineapple; food products - corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables, dairy products; food output not keeping pace with population growth Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis used mostly for domestic consumption; widespread cultivation of cannabis and qat on small plots; transit country for heroin and methaqualone en route from Southwest Asia to West Africa, Western Europe, and the US Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $839 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7,490 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $74 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $83 million Currency: Kenyan shilling (plural - shillings); 1 Kenyan shilling (KSh) = 100 cents :Kenya Economy:Kenya Economy Exchange rates: Kenyan shillings (KSh) per US$1 - 28.466 (January 1992), 27.508 (1991), 22.915 (1990), 20.572 (1989), 17.747 (1988), 16.454 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Kenya Communications:Kenya Communications Railroads: 2,040 km 1.000-meter gauge Highways: 64,590 km total; 7,000 km paved, 4,150 km gravel, remainder improved earth Inland waterways: part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya; principal inland port is at Kisumu Pipelines: petroleum products 483 km Ports: Mombasa, Lamu Merchant marine: 1 petroleum tanker ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,727 GRT/5,558 DWT Civil air: 19 major transport aircraft Airports: 249 total, 214 usable; 21 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 46 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: in top group of African systems; consists primarily of radio relay links; over 260,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 16 AM; 4 FM, 6 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT :Kenya Defense Forces:Kenya Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary General Service Unit of the Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 5,688,543; 3,513,611 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 1% of GDP (1989 est.) :Kingman Reef Geography:Kingman Reef Geography Total area: 1 km2 Land area: 1 km2 Comparative area: about 1.7 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 3 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; wet or awash most of the time Note: located 1,600 km south-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa; maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes this a navigational hazard; closed to the public :Kingman Reef People:Kingman Reef People Population: uninhabited :Kingman Reef Government:Kingman Reef Government Long-form name: none Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC :Kingman Reef Economy:Kingman Reef Economy Overview: no economic activity :Kingman Reef Communications:Kingman Reef Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938 :Kingman Reef Defense Forces:Kingman Reef Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Kiribati Geography:Kiribati Geography Total area: 717 km2 Land area: 717 km2; includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands Comparative area: slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,143 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 NEGL%; permanent crops 51%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 3%; other 46% Environment: typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; 20 of the 33 islands are inhabited Note: Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia and Nauru :Kiribati People:Kiribati People Population: 74,788 (July 1992), growth rate 2.1% (1992) Birth rate: 33 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 99 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 52 years male, 56 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - I-Kiribati (singular and plural); adjective - I-Kiribati Ethnic divisions: Micronesian Religions: Roman Catholic 52.6%, Protestant (Congregational) 40.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist, Baha'i, Church of God, Mormon 6% (1985) Languages: English (official), Gilbertese Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers (1985 est.) Organized labor: Kiribati Trades Union Congress - 2,500 members :Kiribati Government:Kiribati Government Long-form name: Republic of Kiribati; note - pronounced Kiribas Type: republic Capital: Tarawa Administrative divisions: 3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - a new administrative structure of 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) may have been changed to 21 island councils (one for each of the inhabited islands) named Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Canton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina Independence: 12 July 1979 (from UK; formerly Gilbert Islands) Constitution: 12 July 1979 National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1979) Executive branch: president (Beretitenti), vice president (Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti), Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (Maneaba Ni Maungatabu) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, High Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Teatao TEANNAKI (since 8 July 1991); Vice President Taomati IUTA (since 8 July 1991) Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party, Teatao TEANNAKI; Christian Democratic Party, Teburoro TITO; New Movement Party, leader NA; Liberal Party, Tewareka TENTOA; note - there is no tradition of formally organized political parties in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held on 8 July 1991 (next to be held May 1995); results - Teatao TEANNAKI 52%, Roniti TEIWAKI 28% House of Assembly: last held on 8 May 1991 (next to be held May 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (40 total; 39 elected) percent of seats by party NA Member of: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP (associate), IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, IMF, INTERPOL, ITU, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant) lives in Tarawa (Kiribati) US: the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati Flag: the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean :Kiribati Economy:Kiribati Economy Overview: The country 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 8% 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 17%. The upturn in economic growth came from an increase in copra production and a good fish catch. Following the strong surge in output in 1988, GNP increased 1% in both 1989 and 1990. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $36.8 million, per capita $525; real growth rate 1.0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.0% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 2% (1985); considerable underemployment Budget: revenues $29.9 million; expenditures $16.3 million, including capital expenditures of $14.0 million (1990 est.) Exports: $5.8 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: fish 55%, copra 42% partners: EC 20%, Marshall Islands 12%, US 8%, American Samoa 4% (1985) Imports: $26.7 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, fuel, transportation equipment partners: Australia 39%, Japan 21%, NZ 6%, UK 6%, US 3% (1985) External debt: $2.0 million (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1988 est.); accounts for less than 4% of GDP Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 13 million kWh produced, 190 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: fishing, handicrafts Agriculture: accounts for 30% of GDP (including fishing); copra and fish contribute about 95% to exports; subsistence farming predominates; food crops - taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $273 million Currency: Australian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3177 (March 1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986) Fiscal year: NA :Kiribati Communications:Kiribati Communications Highways: 640 km of motorable roads Inland waterways: small network of canals, totaling 5 km, in Line Islands Ports: Banaba and Betio (Tarawa) Civil air: 2 Trislanders; no major transport aircraft Airports: 21 total; 20 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 1,400 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Kiribati Defense Forces:Kiribati Defense Forces Branches: no military force maintained; the Police Force carries out law enforcement functions and paramilitary duties; there are small police posts on all islands Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Korea, North Geography:Korea, North Geography Total area: 120,540 km2 Land area: 120,410 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Mississippi Land boundaries: 1,673 km; China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km Coastline: 2,495 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Military boundary line: 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea (all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned) Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: short section of boundary with China is indefinite; Demarcation Line with South Korea Climate: temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer Terrain: mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east Natural resources: coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower Land use: arable land 18%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 74%; other 7%; includes irrigated 9% Environment: mountainous interior is isolated, nearly inaccessible, and sparsely populated; late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding Note: strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia :Korea, North People:Korea, North People Population: 22,227,303 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992) Birth rate: 24 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 30 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 72 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Korean(s);adjective - Korean Ethnic divisions: racially homogeneous Religions: Buddhism and Confucianism; some Christianity and syncretic Chondogyo; autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom Languages: Korean Literacy: 99%, (male 99%, female 99%); note - presumed to be virtually universal among population under age 60 Labor force: 9,615,000; agricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64%; shortage of skilled and unskilled labor (mid-1987 est.) Organized labor: 1,600,000 members; single-trade union system coordinated by the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea under the Central Committee :Korea, North Government:Korea, North Government Long-form name: Democratic People's Republic of Korea; abbreviated DPRK Type: Communist state; Stalinist dictatorship Capital: P'yongyang Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 3 special cities* (jikhalsi, singular and plural); Chagang-do, Hamgyong-namdo, Hamgyong-bukto, Hwanghae-namdo, Hwanghae-bukto, Kaesong-si*, Kangwon-do, Namp'o-si*, P'yongan-bukto, P'yongan-namdo,P'yongyang-si*, Yanggang-do Independence: 9 September 1948 Constitution: adopted 1948, revised 27 December 1972 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 9 September (1948) Executive branch: president, two vice presidents, premier, eleven vice premiers, State Administration Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly (Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui) Judicial branch: Central Court Leaders: Chief of State: President KIM Il-song (national leader since 1945, formally President since 28 December 1972); designated Successor KIM Chong-il (son of President, born 16 February 1942) Head of Government: Premier YON Hyong-muk (since December 1988) Political parties and leaders: major party - Korean Workers' Party (KWP), KIM Il-song, general secretary, and his son, KIM Chong-il, secretary, Central Committee; Korean Social Democratic Party, YI Kye-paek, chairman; Chondoist Chongu Party, CHONG Sin-hyok, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 17 Elections: President: last held 24 May 1990 (next to be held NA 1994); results - President KIM Il-song was reelected without opposition Supreme People's Assembly: last held on 24 May 1990 (next to be held NA 1994); 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 Communists: KWP claims membership of about 3 million Member of: ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, IFAD, IMF (observer), IMO, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: none :Korea, North Government:Korea, North Government 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: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 and his son, KIM Chong-il. Economic growth during the period 1984-89 averaged 2-3%, but output declined by 2-4% annually during 1990-91, largely because of disruptions in economic relations with the USSR. Abundant natural resources and hydropower form the basis of industrial development. Output of the extractive industries includes coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals. Manufacturing is centered on heavy 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. Four consecutive years of poor harvests, coupled with distribution problems, have led to chronic food shortages. North Korea remains far behind South Korea in economic development and living standards. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $23.3 billion, per capita $1,100; real growth rate -2% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: officially none Budget: revenues $17.3 billion; expenditures $17.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990) Exports: $2.02 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: minerals, metallurgical products, agricultural products, manufactures partners: USSR, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Singapore Imports: $2.62 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: petroleum, machinery and equipment, coking coal, grain partners: USSR, Japan, China, Hong Kong, FRG, Singapore External debt: $7 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 7,140,000 kW capacity; 36,000 million kWh produced, 1,650 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: machine building, military products, electric power, chemicals, mining, metallurgy, textiles, food processing Agriculture: accounts for about 25% of GNP 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; fish catch estimated at 1.7 million metric tons in 1987 Economic aid: Communist countries, $1.4 billion a year in the 1980s Currency: North Korean won (plural - won); 1 North Korean won (Wn) = 100 chon :Korea, North Economy:Korea, North Economy Exchange rates: North Korean won (Wn) per US$1 - 2.13 (May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1 (January 1990), 2.3 (December 1989), 2.13 (December 1988), 0.94 (March 1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Korea, North Communications:Korea, North Communications Railroads: 4,915 km total; 4,250 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 665 km 0.762-meter narrow gauge; 159 km double track; 3,084 km electrified; government owned (1989) Highways: about 30,000 km (1989); 98.5% gravel, crushed stone, or earth surface; 1.5% paved Inland waterways: 2,253 km; mostly navigable by small craft only Pipelines: crude oil 37 km Ports: Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam, Namp'o, Wonsan, Songnim, Najin, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Kim Chaek Merchant marine: 78 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 543,033 GRT/804,507 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 1 passenger-cargo, 67 cargo, 2 petroleum tanker, 4 bulk, 1 combination bulk, 1 container Airports: 55 total, 55 usable (est.); about 30 with permanent-surface runways; fewer than 5 with runways over 3,659 m; 20 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 30 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 18 AM, no FM, 11 TV; 200,000 TV sets; 3,500,000 radio receivers; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Korea, North Defense Forces:Korea, North Defense Forces Branches: Korean People's Army (including the Army, Navy, Air Force), Civil Security Forces Manpower availability: males 15-49, 6,476,839; 3,949,568 fit for military service; 227,154 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - about $5 billion, 20-25% of GNP (1991 est.); note - the officially announced but suspect figure is $1.9 billion (1991) 8% of GNP (1991 est.) :Korea, South Geography:Korea, South Geography Total area: 98,480 km2 Land area: 98,190 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Indiana Land boundaries: 238 km; North Korea 238 km Coastline: 2,413 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specific Territorial sea: 12 nm (3 nm in the Korea Strait) Disputes: Demarcation Line with North Korea; Liancourt Rocks claimed by Japan Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower Land use: arable land 21%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 67%; other 10%; includes irrigated 12% Environment: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; earthquakes in southwest; air pollution in large cities :Korea, South People:Korea, South People Population: 44,149,199 (July 1992), growth rate 1.1% (1992) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 73 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Korean(s);adjective - Korean Ethnic divisions: homogeneous; small Chinese minority (about 20,000) Religions: strong Confucian tradition; vigorous Christian minority (24.3% of the total population); Buddhism; pervasive folk religion (Shamanism); Chondogyo (religion of the heavenly way), eclectic religion with nationalist overtones founded in 19th century, about 0.1% of population Languages: Korean; English widely taught in high school Literacy: 96% (male 99%, female 94%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 16,900,000; 52% services and other; 27% mining and manufacturing; 21% agriculture, fishing, forestry (1987) Organized labor: 23.4% (1989) of labor force in government-sanctioned unions :Korea, South Government:Korea, South Government Long-form name: Republic of Korea; abbreviated ROK Type: republic Capital: Seoul Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 6 special cities* (jikhalsi, singular and plural); Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo, Inch'on-jikhalsi*, Kangwon-do, Kwangju-jikhalsi*, Kyonggi-do, Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-jikhalsi*, Soul-t'ukpyolsi*, Taegu-jikhalsi*, Taejon-jikhalsi* Independence: 15 August 1948 Constitution: 25 February 1988 Legal system: combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1948) Executive branch: president, prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, State Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Kuk Hoe) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President ROH Tae Woo (since 25 February 1988) Head of Government: Prime Minister CHUNG Won Shik (since 24 May 1991); Deputy Prime Minister CHOI Gak Kyu (since 19 February 1991) Political parties and leaders: ruling party: Democratic Liberal Party (DLP), ROH Tae Woo, president, KIM Young Sam, chairman; KIM Chong Pil and PAK Tae Chun, co-chairmen; note - the DLP resulted from a merger of the Democratic Justice Party (DJP), Reunification Democratic Party (RDP), and New Democratic Republican Party (NDRP) on 9 February 1990 opposition: Democratic Party (DP), result of a merger of the New Democratic Party and the Democratic Party formalized 16 September 1991; KIM Dae Jung, executive chairman; LEE Ki Taek, executive chairman; several smaller parties Suffrage: universal at age 20 Elections: President: last held on 16 December 1987 (next to be held December 1992); results - ROH Tae Woo (DJP) 35.9%, KIM Young Sam (RDP) 27.5%, KIM Dae Jung (PPD) 26.5%, other 10.1% National Assembly: last held on 26 April 1988 (next to be held around March 1992); results - DJP 34%, RDP 24%, PPD 19%, NDRP 15%, other 8%; seats - (296 total) DJP 125, PPD 70, RDP 59, NDRP 35, other 10; note - on 9 February 1990 the DJP, RDP, and NDRP merged to form the DLP; also the PPD, later renamed the NDP, merged with another party to form the DP in September 1991. The distribution of seats as of December 1991 was DLP 214, DP 72, independent 9, vacant 1 :Korea, South Government:Korea, South Government Other political or pressure groups: Korean National Council of Churches; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Council of College Student Representatives; National Federation of Farmers' Associations; National Council of Labor Unions; Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Korean Veterans' Association; Federation of Korean Industries; Korean Traders Association Member of: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC, COCOM, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, ILO, IMF, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador HYUN Hong Joo; Chancery at 2370 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-5600; there are Korean Consulates General in Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle US: Ambassador Donald P. GREGG; Embassy at 82 Sejong-Ro, Chongro-ku, Seoul, AMEMB, Unit 15550 (mailing address is APO AP 96205-0001); telephone [82] (2) 732-2601 through 2618; FAX [82] (2) 738-8845; there is a US Consulate in Pusan Flag: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field :Korea, South Economy: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 GNP has increased more than 10% annually over the past six years. This growth has led to an overheated situation characterized by a tight labor market, strong inflationary pressures, and a rapidly rising current account deficit. Policymakers have stated they will focus attention on slowing inflation. In any event, the economy will remain the envy of the great majority of the world's peoples. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $273 billion, per capita $6,300; real growth rate 8.7% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.7% (1991) Unemployment rate: 2.4% (1991) Budget: revenues $44 billion; expenditures $44 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $71.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: textiles, clothing, electronic and electrical equipment, footwear, machinery, steel, automobiles, ships, fish partners: US 26%, Japan 18% (1991) Imports: $81.6 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grains partners: Japan 26%, US 23% (1991) External debt: $38.2 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 7.5% (1991 est.); accounts for about 45% of GNP Electricity: 24,000,000 kW capacity; 106,000 million kWh produced, 2,460 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing, chemicals, steel, electronics, automobile production, shipbuilding Agriculture: accounts for 8% of GNP 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: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.9 billion; non-US countries (1970-89), $3.0 billion Currency: South Korean won (plural - won); 1 South Korean won (W) = 100 chon (theoretical) Exchange rates: South Korean won (W) per US$1 - 766.66 (January 1992), 733.35 (1991), 707.76 (1990), 671.46 (1989), 731.47 (1988), 822.57 (1987) :Korea, South Economy:Korea, South Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Korea, South Communications:Korea, South Communications Railroads: 3,106 km operating in 1983; 3,059 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 47 km 0.610-meter narrow gauge, 712 km double track, 418 km electrified; government owned Highways: 62,936 km total (1982); 13,476 km national highway, 49,460 km provincial and local roads Inland waterways: 1,609 km; use restricted to small native craft Pipelines: petroleum products 455 km Ports: Pusan, Inchon, Kunsan, Mokpo, Ulsan Merchant marine: 435 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,924,818 GRT/11,389,397 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 140 cargo, 53 container, 11 refrigerated cargo, 9 vehicle carrier, 42 petroleum tanker, 10 chemical tanker, 14 liquefied gas, 5 combination ore/oil, 145 bulk, 3 combination bulk, 1 multifunction large-load carrier Civil air: 93 major transport aircraft Airports: 105 total, 97 usable; 60 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 23 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 16 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate domestic and international services; 4,800,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 79 AM, 46 FM, 256 TV (57 of 1 kW or greater); satellite earth stations - 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT :Korea, South Defense Forces:Korea, South Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Marines Corps, Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 13,131,113; 8,456,428 fit for military service; 448,450 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $12.6 billion, 4.5% of GNP (1992 budget) :Kuwait Geography:Kuwait Geography Total area: 17,820 km2 Land area: 17,820 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 462 km; Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km Coastline: 499 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specific Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: in April 1991 official Iraqi acceptance of UN Security Council Resolution 687, which demands that Iraq accept the inviolability of the boundary set forth in its 1963 agreement with Kuwait, ending earlier claims to Bubiyan and Warbah Islands or to all of Kuwait; a UN Boundary Demarcation Commission is demarcating the Iraq-Kuwait boundary persuant to Resolution 687, and, on 17 June 1992, the UN Security Council reaffirmed the finality of the Boundary Demarcation Commission's decisions; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim Islands disputed by Saudi Arabia Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas Land use: arable land NEGL%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 8%; forest and woodland NEGL%; other 92%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide most of water; air and water pollution; desertification Note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf :Kuwait People:Kuwait People Population: 1,378,613 (July 1992), growth rate NA (1992) Birth rate: 32 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 2 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 14 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Kuwaiti(s); adjective - Kuwaiti Ethnic divisions: Kuwaiti 50%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 2% Religions: Muslim 85% (Shi`a 30%, Sunni 45%, other 10%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15% Languages: Arabic (official); English widely spoken Literacy: 74% (male 78%, female 69%) age 15 and over can read and write (1985) Labor force: 566,000 (1986); 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%; 70% of labor force was non-Kuwaiti Organized labor: labor unions exist in oil industry and among government personnel :Kuwait Government:Kuwait Government Long-form name: State of Kuwait Type: nominal constitutional monarchy Capital: Kuwait Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (mu'hafaz'at, singular - muh'afaz'ah); Al Ah'madi, Al Jahrah, Al Kuwayt, 'Hawalli; Farwaniyah Independence: 19 June 1961 (from UK) Constitution: 16 November 1962 (some provisions suspended since 29 August 1962) Legal system: civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 25 February Executive branch: amir, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: National Assembly (Majlis al `umma) dissolved 3 July 1986; elections for new Assembly scheduled for October 1992 Judicial branch: High Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: Amir Shaykh JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 31 December 1977) Head of Government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SA`UD al-`Abdallah al-Salim al-Sabah (since 8 February 1978); Deputy Prime Minister SALIM al-Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah Political parties and leaders: none Suffrage: adult males who resided in Kuwait before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21; note - out of all citizens, only 10% are eligible to vote and only 5% actually vote Elections: National Assembly: dissolved 3 July 1986; new elections are scheduled for October 1992 Other political or pressure groups: 40,000 Palestinian community; small, clandestine leftist and Shi`a fundamentalist groups are active; several groups critical of government policies are active Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GATT, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Shaykh Sa`ud Nasir al-SABAH; Chancery at 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 966-0702 US: Ambassador Edward (Skip) GNEHM, Jr.; Embassy at Bneid al-Gar (opposite the Kuwait International Hotel), Kuwait City (mailing address is P.O. Box 77 SAFAT, 13001 SAFAT, Kuwait; APO AE 09880); telephone [965] 242-4151 through 4159; FAX [956] 244-2855 :Kuwait Government:Kuwait Government Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side :Kuwait Economy:Kuwait Economy Overview: Up to the invasion by Iraq in August 1990, the oil sector had dominated the economy. Kuwait has the third-largest oil reserves in the world after Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Earnings from hydrocarbons have generated over 90% of both export and government revenues and contributed about 40% to GDP. Most of the nonoil sector has traditionally been dependent upon oil-derived government revenues. Iraq's destruction of Kuwait's oil industry during the Gulf war has devastated the economy. Iraq destroyed or damaged more than 80% of Kuwait's 950 operating oil wells, as well as sabotaged key surface facilities. Firefighters brought all of the roughly 750 oil well fires and blowouts under control by November 1991. By yearend, production had been brought back to 400,000 barrels per day; it could take two to three years to restore Kuwait's oil production to its prewar level of about 2.0 million barrels per day. Meanwhile, population had been greatly reduced because of the war, from 2.1 million to 1.4 million. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $8.75 billion, per capita $6,200; real growth rate -50% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA Unemployment rate: NA Budget: revenues $7.1 billion; expenditures $10.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.1 billion (FY88) Exports: $11.4 billion (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: oil 90% partners: Japan 19%, Netherlands 9%, US 8%, Pakistan 6% Imports: $6.6 billion (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing partners: US 15%, Japan 12%, FRG 8%, UK 7% External debt: $7.2 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3% (1988); accounts for 52% of GDP Electricity: 3,100,000 kW available out of 8,290,000 kW capacity due to Persian Gulf war; 7,300 million kWh produced, 3,311 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, building materials, salt, construction Agriculture: virtually none; dependent on imports for food; about 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported Economic aid: donor - pledged $18.3 billion in bilateral aid to less developed countries (1979-89) Currency: Kuwaiti dinar (plural - dinars); 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1 - 0.2950 (March 1992), 0.2843 (1991), 0.2915 (1990), 0.2937 (1989), 0.2790 (1988), 0.2786 (1987) :Kuwait Economy:Kuwait Economy Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Kuwait Communications:Kuwait Communications Railroads: 6,456 km total track length (1990); over 700 km double track; government owned Highways: 3,900 km total; 3,000 km bituminous; 900 km earth, sand, light gravel Pipelines: crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 km Ports: Ash Shu`aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Mina' al 'Ahmadi Merchant marine: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 1,196,435 GRT/1,957,216 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 4 livestock carrier, 18 oil tanker, 4 liquefied gas; note - all Kuwaiti ships greater than 1,000 GRT were outside Kuwaiti waters at the time of the Iraqi invasion; many of these ships transferred to the Liberian flag or to the flags of other Persian Gulf states; only 1 has returned to Kuwaiti flag since the liberation of Kuwait Civil air: 9 major transport aircraft Airports: 7 total, 4 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: civil network suffered extensive damage as a result of Desert Storm; reconstruction is under way with some restored international and domestic capabilities; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 0 FM, 3 TV; satellite earth stations - destroyed during Persian Gulf war; temporary mobile satellite ground stations provide international telecommunications; coaxial cable and radio relay to Saudi Arabia; service to Iraq is nonoperational :Kuwait Defense Forces:Kuwait Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 389,770; 234,609 fit for military service; 12,773 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9.17 billion, 20.4% of GDP (1992 budget) :Kyrgyzstan Geography:Kyrgyzstan Geography Total area: 198,500 km2 Land area: 191,300 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than South Dakota Land boundaries: 3,878 km; China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southern boundary in Isfara Valley area Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in south (Fergana Valley) Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan rise to 7,000 meters, and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation Natural resources: small amounts of coal, natural gas, oil; also nepheline, rare earth metals, mercury, bismuth, gold, uranium, lead, zinc, hydroelectric power Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: NA :Kyrgyzstan People:Kyrgyzstan People Population: 4,567,875 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992) Birth rate: 31 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: - 8.5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 56 deaths/1,000 live births (1991) Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Kirghiz(s); adjective - Kirghiz Ethnic divisions: Kirghiz 52%, Russian 21%, Uzbek 13%, other 14% Religions: Muslim 70%, Russian Orthodox NA% Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 1,894,000 (1989); agriculture 33%, other 49%, industry 18%, other NA% (1988) Organized labor: NA :Kyrgyzstan Government:Kyrgyzstan Government Long-form name: Republic of Kyrgyzstan Type: republic Capital: Bishkek (formerly Frunze) Administrative divisions: 6 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast'); Chu, Dzhalal-Abad, Issyk-Kul', Naryn, Osh, Talas; note - an oblast has the same name as its administrative center Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union; formerly Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic) Constitution: adopted NA, effective 20 April 1978, amended 23 September 1989; note - new constitution is being drafted Legal system: NA National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, Cabinet of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral body or bicameral Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: President Askar AKAYEV; Vice President Felix KULOV; Chairman, Supreme Soviet, Medetkav SHERIMKULOV; Spiritual leader of Kyrgyz Muslims, Sadykzhav KAMALOV Chief of State: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990), Vice President Felix KULOV (since 2 March 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Tursenbek CHYNGYSHEV (since 2 March 1992) Political parties and leaders: Kyrgyzstan Democratic Movement, Zhypur ZHEKSHEYEV, Kazat AKMAKOV, and Toshubek TURGANALIEV, co-chairmen of popular front coalition of 40 informal groups for Democratic Renewal and Civic Accord, 117-man pro-Akayev parliamentary faction; Civic Accord, Coalition representing nonnative minority groups; National Revived Asaba (Banner) Party, Asan ORMUSHEV, chairman; Communist Party now banned Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 12 October 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - AKAYEV won in uncontested election with 95% of vote with 90% of electorate voting; note - Republic Supreme Soviet elections held 25 February 1990; presidential elections held first by Supreme Soviet 28 October 1990, then by popular vote 12 October 1991 Supreme Soviet: note - last held 25 February 1990 (next to be held no later than November 1994); results - Commnunists (310) 90%, seats - (350 total) Other political or pressure groups: National Unity Democratic Movement; Peasant Party; Council of Free Trade Union; Union of Entrepreneurs Member of: CIS, CSCE, IMF, UN, UNCTAD :Kyrgyzstan Government:Kyrgyzstan Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador NA; Chancery at NW, Washington, DC 200__; telephone (202) NA; there are Consulates General in NA; US: Charge Ralph Bresler; Interim Chancery at #66 Derzhinskiy Prospekt; Residence: Hotel Pishpek (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone 8-011-7-3312-22-22-70 Flag: red-orange field with yellow sun in center with folk motif medallion inscribed :Kyrgyzstan Economy:Kyrgyzstan Economy Overview: Kyrgyzstan's small economy (less than 1% of the total for the former Soviet Union) is oriented toward agriculture, producing mainly livestock such as goats and sheep, as well as cotton, grain, and tobacco. Industry, concentrated around Bishkek, produces small quantities of electric motors, livestock feeding equipment, washing machines, furniture, cement, paper, and bricks. Mineral extraction is small, the most important minerals being rare earth metals and gold. Kyrgyzstan is a net importer of most types of food and fuel but is a net exporter of electricity. By early 1991, the Kirghiz leadership had accelerated reform, primarily by privatizing business and granting life-long tenure to farmers. In 1991 overall industrial and livestock output declined substantially. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $NA billion, per capita $NA; real growth rate -5% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 88% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA million; expenditures $NA million Exports: $115 million (1990) commodities: wool, chemicals, cotton, ferrous and nonferrous metals, shoes, machinery, tobacco partners: Russia 70%, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and others Imports: $1.5 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals, fuel, machinery, textiles, footwear External debt: $650 million (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 0.1% (1991) Electricity: NA kW capacity; 13,900 million kWh produced, 3,232 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: small machinery, textiles, food-processing industries, cement, shoes, sawn logs, steel, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, and rare earth metals Agriculture: wool, tobacco, cotton, livestock (sheep and goats) and cattle, vegetables, meat, grapes, fruits and berries, eggs, milk, potatoes Illicit drugs: poppy cultivation legal Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $NA billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Fiscal year: calendar year :Kyrgyzstan Communications:Kyrgyzstan Communications Railroads: 370 km; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 30,300 km total; 22,600 km paved or graveled, 7,700 km earth(1990) Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: NA Ports: none - landlocked Civil air: NA Airports: NA Telecommunications: poorly developed; connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch; satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT (TV receive only) :Kyrgyzstan Defense Forces:Kyrgyzstan Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops); National Guard, Civil Defense; CIS Forces (Ground, Air, and Air Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Laos Geography:Laos Geography Total area: 236,800 km2 Land area: 230,800 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Utah Land boundaries: 5,083 km; Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: boundary dispute with Thailand Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones Land use: arable land 4%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 3%; forest and woodland 58%; other 35%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: deforestation; soil erosion; subject to floods Note: landlocked :Laos People:Laos People Population: 4,440,213 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 107 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 49 years male, 52 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Lao(s) or Laotian(s); adjective - Lao or Laotian Ethnic divisions: Lao 50%, Phoutheung (Kha) 15%, tribal Thai 20%, Meo, Hmong, Yao, and other 15% Religions: Buddhist 85%, animist and other 15% Languages: Lao (official), French, and English Literacy: 84% (male 92%, female 76%) age 15 to 45 can read and write (1985 est.) Labor force: 1-1.5 million; 85-90% in agriculture (est.) Organized labor: Lao Federation of Trade Unions is subordinate to the Communist party :Laos Government:Laos Government Long-form name: Lao People's Democratic Republic Type: Communist state Capital: Vientiane Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamsai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louang Namtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Saravan, Savannakhet, Sekong, Vientiane, Vientiane*, Xaignabouri, Xiangkhoang Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France) Constitution: promulgated August 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day (proclamation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic), 2 December (1975) Executive branch: president, chairman and two vice chairmen of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: Supreme People's Assembly Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President KAYSONE PHOMVIHAN (since 15 August 1991) Head of Government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Gen. KHAMTAI SIPHANDON (since 15 August 1991) Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), KAYSONE PHOMVIHAN, party chairman; includes Lao Patriotic Front and Alliance Committee of Patriotic Neutralist Forces; other parties moribund Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Supreme People's Assembly: last held on 26 March 1989 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (79 total) number of seats by party NA Other political or pressure groups: non-Communist political groups moribund; most leaders have fled the country Member of: ACCT (associate), AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Charge d'Affaires LINTHONG PHETSAVAN; Chancery at 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-6416 or 6417 US: Charge d'Affaires Charles B. SALMON, Jr.; Embassy at Rue Bartholonie, Vientiane (mailing address is B. P. 114, Vientiane, or AMEMB, Box V, APO AP 96546); telephone (856) 2220, 2357, 2384; FAX (856) 4675 :Laos Government:Laos Government Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band :Laos Economy:Laos Economy Overview: One of the world's poorest nations, Laos has had a Communist centrally planned economy with government ownership and control of productive enterprises of any size. In recent years, however, the government has been decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise. Laos is a landlocked country with a primitive infrastructure; that is, it has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, limited external and internal telecommunications, and electricity available in only a limited area. Subsistence agriculture is the main occupation, accounting for over 60% of GDP and providing about 85-90% of total employment. The predominant crop is rice. For the foreseeable future the economy will continue to depend for its survival on foreign aid from the IMF and other international sources; aid from the former USSR and Eastern Europe has been cut sharply. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $800 million, per capita $200; real growth rate 4% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.4% (December 1991) Unemployment rate: 21% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $83 million; expenditures $188.5 million, including capital expenditures of $94 million (1990 est.) Exports: $72 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: electricity, wood products, coffee, tin partners: Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, USSR, US, China Imports: $238 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: food, fuel oil, consumer goods, manufactures partners: Thailand, USSR, Japan, France, Vietnam, China External debt: $1.1 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 12% (1991 est.); accounts for about 18% of GDP (1991 est.) Electricity: 226,000 kW capacity; 1,100 million kWh produced, 270 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction Agriculture: accounts for 60% of GDP and employs most of the work force; subsistence farming predominates; normally self-sufficient in nondrought years; principal crops - rice (80% of cultivated land), sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, cotton; livestock - buffaloes, hogs, cattle, chicken Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, opium poppy for the international drug trade, third-largest opium producer Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-79), $276 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $605 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $995 million Currency: new kip (plural - kips); 1 new kip (NK) = 100 at :Laos Economy:Laos Economy Exchange rates: new kips (NK) per US$1 - 710 (May 1992), 710 (December 1991), 700 (September 1990), 576 (1989), 385 (1988), 200 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Laos Communications:Laos Communications Railroads: none Highways: about 27,527 km total; 1,856 km bituminous or bituminous treated; 7,451 km gravel, crushed stone, or improved earth; 18,220 km unimproved earth and often impassable during rainy season mid-May to mid-September 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 Airports: 57 total, 47 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 14 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: service to general public considered poor; radio communications network provides generally erratic service to government users; 7,390 telephones (1986); broadcast stations - 10 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 satellite earth station :Laos Defense Forces:Laos Defense Forces Branches: Lao People's Army (LPA; including naval, aviation, and militia elements), Air Force, National Police Department Manpower availability: males 15-49, 946,289; 509,931 fit for military service; 45,232 reach military age (18) annually; conscription age NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Latvia Geography:Latvia Geography Total area: 64,100 km2 Land area: 64,100 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: 1,078 km; Belarus 141 km, Estonia 267 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km Coastline: 531 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: NA meter depth Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Territorial sea: NA nm Disputes: the Abrene section of border ceded by the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic to Russia in 1944 Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters Terrain: low plain Natural resources: minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite Land use: 27% arable land; NA% permanent crops; 13% meadows and pastures; 39% forest and woodland; 21% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: heightened levels of air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga heavily polluted :Latvia People:Latvia People Population: 2,728,937 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Latvian(s);adjective - Latvian Ethnic divisions: Latvian 51.8%, Russian 33.8%, Byelorussian 4.5%, Ukrainian 3.4%, Polish 2.3%, other 4.2% Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox Languages: Latvian NA% (official), Lithuanian NA%, Russian NA%, other NA% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 1,407,000; industry and construction 41%, agriculture and forestry 16%, other 43% (1990) Organized labor: NA :Latvia Government:Latvia Government Long-form name: Republic of Latvia Type: republic Capital: Riga Administrative divisions: none - all districts are under direct republic jurisdiction Independence: 18 November 1918; annexed by the USSR 21 July 1940, the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic declared independence 6 September 1991 from USSR Constitution: April 1978, currently rewriting constitution, but readopted the 1922 Constitution Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918) Executive branch: Prime Minister Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Chairman, Supreme Council, Anatolijs GORBUNOVS (since October 1988); Chairmen, Andrejs KRASTINS, Valdis BIRKAVS (since NA 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Ivars GODMANIS (since May 1990) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Labor Party of Latvia, Juris BOJARS, chairman; Inter-Front of the Working People of Latvia, Igor LOPATIN, chairman; note - Inter-Front was banned after the coup; Latvian National Movement for Independence, Eduards BERKLAVS, chairman; Latvian Social Democratic Party, Janis DINEVICS, chairman; Social Democratic Party of Latvia, Uldis BERZINS, chairman; Latvian People's Front, Romualdas RAZUKAS, chairman; Latvian Liberal Party, Georg LANSMANIS, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held October 1988 (next to be held NA; note - elected by Parliament; new elections have not been scheduled; results - percent of vote by party NA Supreme Council: last held 18 March 1990 (next to be held NA); results - undetermined; seats - (234 total) Latvian Communist Party 59, Latvian Democratic Workers Party 31, Social Democratic Party of Latvia 4, Green Party of Latvia 7, Latvian Farmers Union 7, 126 supported by the Latvia Popular Front Congress of Latvia: last held April 1990 (next to be held NA); note - the Congress of Latvia is a quasi-governmental structure; results - percent of vote by party NA%; seats - (231 total) number of seats by party NA Member of: CSCE, IAEA, UN Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Dr. Anatol DINBERGS; Chancery at 4325 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20011; telephone (202) 726-8213 and 8214 :Latvia Government:Latvia Government US: Ambassador Ints SILINS; (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone [358] (49) 306-067 (cellular), (7) (01-32) 325-968/185; FAX [358] (49) 308-326 (cellular), (7) (01-32) 220-502 Flag: two horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (middle, narrower than other two bands) and maroon (bottom) :Latvia Economy:Latvia Economy Overview: Latvia is in the process of reforming the centrally planned economy inherited from the former USSR into a market economy. Prices have been freed, and privatization of shops and farms has begun. Latvia lacks natural resources, aside from its arable land and small forests. Its most valuable economic asset is its work force, which is better educated and disciplined than in most of the former Soviet republics. Industrial production is highly diversified, with products ranging from agricultural machinery to consumer electronics. One conspicuous vulnerability: Latvia produces only 10% of its electric power needs. Latvia in the near term must retain key commercial ties to Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine while moving in the long run toward joint ventures, technological support, and trade ties to the West. Because of the efficiency of its mostly individual farms, Latvians enjoy a diet that is higher in meat, vegetables, and dairy products and lower in grain and potatoes than diets in the 12 non-Baltic republics of the USSR. Good relations with Russia are threatened by animosity between ethnic Russians (34% of the population) and native Latvians. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $NA; per capital NA; real growth rate - 8% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): approximately 200% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991) Exports: $239 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: food 14%, railroad cars 13%, chemicals 12% partners: Russia 50%, Ukraine 15%, other former Soviet republics 30%, West 5% Imports: $9.0 billion (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: machinery 35%, petroleum products 13%, chemicals 9% partners: NA External debt: $650 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1991) Electricity: 1,975,000 kW capacity; 6,500 million kWh produced, 2,381 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: employs 33.2% of labor force; 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: employs 23% of labor force; principally dairy farming and livestock feeding; products - meat, milk, eggs, grain, sugar beets, potatoes, and vegetables; fishing and fish packing Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe :Latvia Economy:Latvia Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $NA billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency but planning early introduction of ``lat'' Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Latvia Communications:Latvia Communications Railroads: 2,400 km (includes NA km electrified) does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 59,500 km total (1990); 33,000 km hard surfaced 26,500 km earth Inland waterways: 300 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil NA km, refined products NA km, natural gas NA km Ports: maritime - Riga, Ventspils, Liepaja; inland - Daugavpils Merchant marine: 96 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 917,979 GRT/1,194,666 DWT; includes 14 cargo, 29 refrigerated cargo, 2 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 42 petroleum tanker Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: NA total, NA usable; NA with permanent-surface runways; NA with runways over 3,659 m; NA with runways 2,440-3,659 m; NA with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: broadcast stations - NA; international traffic carried by leased connection to the Moscow international gateway switch and the Finnish cellular net :Latvia Defense Forces:Latvia Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard, Russian Forces (Ground, Navy, Air, Air Defense, Border Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: NA% of GDP; 3-5% of Latvia's budget (1992) :Lebanon Geography:Lebanon Geography Total area: 10,400 km2 Land area: 10,230 km2 Comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: 454 km; Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km Coastline: 225 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Israeli troops in southern Lebanon since June 1982; Syrian troops in northern Lebanon since October 1976 Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers Terrain: narrow coastal plain; Al Biqa` (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains Natural resources: limestone, iron ore, salt; water-surplus state in a water-deficit region Land use: arable land 21%; permanent crops 9%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 8%; other 61%; includes irrigated 7% Environment: rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, ethnicity; deforestation; soil erosion; air and water pollution; desertification Note: Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary :Lebanon People:Lebanon People Population: 3,439,115 (July 1992), growth rate 1.6% (1992) Birth rate: 28 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 43 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Lebanese (singular and plural); adjective - Lebanese Ethnic divisions: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% Religions: Islam 75%, Christian 25%, Judaism NEGL%; 17 legally recognized groups - 5 Islam (Alawite or Nusayri, Druze, Isma`ilite, Shi`a, Sunni); 11 Christian, consisting of 4 Orthodox Christian (Armenian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Nestorean, Syriac Orthodox), 6 Catholic (Armenian Catholic, Caldean, Greek Catholic, Maronite, Roman Catholic, and Syrian Catholic) and the Protestants; 1 Jewish Languages: Arabic and French (both official); Armenian, English Literacy: 80% (male 88%, female 73%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 650,000; industry, commerce, and services 79%, agriculture 11%, government 10% (1985) Organized labor: 250,000 members (est.) :Lebanon Government:Lebanon Government Long-form name: Republic of Lebanon; note - may be changed to Lebanese Republic Type: republic Capital: Beirut Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Biqa, `Al Janub, Ash Shamal, Bayrut, Jabal Lubnan Independence: 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) Constitution: 26 May 1926 (amended) 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 22 November (1943) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet; note - by custom, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of the legislature is a Shi`a Muslim Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Arabic - Majlis Alnuwab, French - Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases and one court for criminal cases) Leaders: Chief of State: President Ilyas HARAWI (since 24 November 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Rashid SULH (since 13 May 1992) Political parties and leaders: political party activity is organized along largely sectarian lines; numerous political groupings exist, consisting of individual political figures and followers motivated by religious, clan, and economic considerations; most parties have well-armed militias, which are still involved in occasional clashes Suffrage: compulsory for all males at age 21; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education Elections: National Assembly: elections should be held every four years, but security conditions have prevented elections since May 1972; in June 1991, the Cabinet appointed 40 new deputies to fill vacancies and balance Christian and Muslim representation; the legislature's mandate expires in 1994 Communists: the Lebanese Communist Party was legalized in 1970; members and sympathizers estimated at 2,000-3,000 Member of: ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO :Lebanon Government:Lebanon Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador - no ambassador at present; Mission is headed by Charge; Chancery at 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-6300; there are Lebanese Consulates General in Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles US: Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKER; Embassy at Antelias, Beirut (mailing address is P. O. Box 70-840, Beirut, or Box B, FPO AE 09836); telephone [961] 417774 or 415802, 415803, 402200, 403300 Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and red with a green and brown cedar tree centered in the white band :Lebanon Government:Lebanon Government Note: Between early 1975 and late 1976 Lebanon was torn by civil war between its Christians - then aided by Syrian troops - and its Muslims and their Palestinian allies. The cease-fire established in October 1976 between the domestic political groups generally held for about six years, despite occasional fighting. Syrian troops constituted as the Arab Deterrent Force by the Arab League have remained in Lebanon. Syria's move toward supporting the Lebanese Muslims, and the Palestinians and Israel's growing support for Lebanese Christians, brought the two sides into rough equilibrium, but no progress was made toward national reconciliation or political reforms - the original cause of the war. Continuing Israeli concern about the Palestinian presence in Lebanon led to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in June 1982. Israeli forces occupied all of the southern portion of the country and mounted a summer-long siege of Beirut, which resulted in the evacuation of the PLO from Beirut in September under the supervision of a multinational force (MNF) made up of US, French, and Italian troops. Within days of the departure of the MNF, Lebanon's newly elected president, Bashir Gemayel, was assassinated; his elder brother Amin was elected to succeed him. In the immediate wake of Bashir's death, however, Christian militiamen massacred hundreds of Palestinian refugees in two Beirut camps. This prompted the return of the MNF to ease the security burden on Lebanon's weak Army and security forces. In late March 1984 the last MNF units withdrew. In 1988, President Gemayel completed his term of office. Because parliamentarians failed to elect a presidential successor, Gemayel appointed then Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Gen. Michel Awn acting president. Lebanese parliamentarians met in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia, in late 1989 and concluded a national reconciliation pact that codified a new power-sharing formula, specifying reduced powers for the Christian president and giving Muslims more authority. Rene MUAWAD was subsequently elected president on 4 November 1989, ending a 13-month period during which Lebanon had no president and rival Muslim and Christian governments. MUAWAD was assassinated 17 days later, on 22 November; on 24 November, Ilyas Harawi was elected to succeed MUAWAD. In October 1990, the civil war was apparently brought to a conclusion when Syrian and Lebanese forces ousted renegade Christian General Awn from his stronghold in East Beirut. Awn had defied the legitimate government and established a separate ministate within East Beirut after being appointed acting Prime Minister by outgoing President Gemayel in 1988. Awn and his supporters feared Ta'if would diminish Christian power in Lebanon and increase the influence of Syria. Awn was granted amnesty and allowed to travel in France in August 199l. Since the removal of Awn, the Lebanese Government has made substantial progress in strengthening the central government, rebuilding government institutions, and extending its authority throughout the nation. The LAF has deployed from Beirut north along the coast road to Tripoli, southeast into the Shuf mountains, and south to Sidon and Tyre. Many militiamen from Christian and Muslim groups have evacuated Beirut for their strongholds in the north, south, and east of the country. Some heavy weapons possessed by the militias have been turned over to the government, or sold outside the country, which has begun a plan to integrate some militiamen into the military and the internal security forces. Lebanon and Syria signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation in May 1991. Lebanon continues to be partially occupied by Syrian troops, which are deployed in Beirut, its southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley, and northern Lebanon. Iran also maintains a small contingent of revolutionary guards in the Bekaa Valley to support Lebanese Islamic fundamentalist groups. Israel withdrew the bulk of its forces from the south in 1985, although it still retains troops in a 10-km-deep security zone north of its border with Lebanon. Israel arms and trains the Army of South Lebanon (ASL), which also occupies the security zone and is Israel's first line of defense against attacks on its northern border. The following description is based on the present constitutional and customary practices of the Lebanese system. :Lebanon Economy:Lebanon Economy Overview: Since 1975 civil war has 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. Following October 1990, however, 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 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 could provide a major stimulus to the economy in 1992, provided that the political and military situation remains reasonably calm. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $4.8 billion, per capita $1,400; real growth rate NA (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (1991) Unemployment rate: 35% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $533 million; expenditures $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.) Exports: $700 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: agricultural products, chemicals, textiles, precious and semiprecious metals and jewelry, metals and metal products partners: Saudi Arabia 16%, Switzerland 8%, Jordan 6%, Kuwait 6%, US 5% Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: NA partners: Italy 14%, France 12%, US 6%, Turkey 5%, Saudi Arabia 3% External debt: $900 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 1,381,000 kW capacity; 3,870 million kWh produced, 1,170 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: banking, food processing, textiles, cement, oil refining, chemicals, jewelry, some metal fabricating Agriculture: accounts for about one-third of GDP; principal products - citrus fruits, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco, hemp (hashish), sheep, and goats; not self-sufficient in grain Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium and hashish for the international drug trade; opium poppy production in Al Biqa` is increasing; hashish production is shipped to Western Europe, Israel, US, and the Middle East :Lebanon Economy:Lebanon Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $356 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $664 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $962 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $9 million Currency: Lebanese pound (plural - pounds); 1 Lebanese pound (#L) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: Lebanese pounds (#L) per US$1 - 879.00 (January 1992), 928.23 (1991), 695.09 (1990), 496.69 (1989), 409.23 (1988), 224.60 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Lebanon Communications:Lebanon Communications Railroads: system in disrepair, considered inoperable Highways: 7,300 km total; 6,200 km paved, 450 km gravel and crushed stone, 650 km improved earth Pipelines: crude oil 72 km (none in operation) Ports: Beirut, Tripoli, Ra'Sil`ata, Juniyah, Sidon, Az Zahrani, Tyre Merchant marine: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 236,196 GRT/346,760 DWT; includes 36 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 2 vehicle carrier, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 1 container, 8 livestock carrier, 1 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 3 bulk, 1 combination bulk Civil air: 19 major transport aircraft Airports: 9 total, 8 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m; none under the direct control of the Lebanese Government Telecommunications: rebuilding program disrupted; had fair system of microwave relay, cable; 325,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM (numerous AM and FM radio stations are operated inconsistently by various factions), 13 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT satellite earth station, erratic operations; 3 submarine coaxial cables; radio relay to Jordan inoperable, but operational to Syria, coaxial cable to Syria :Lebanon Defense Forces:Lebanon Defense Forces Branches: Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) (including Army, Navy, and Air Force) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 750,319; 465,938 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $271 million, 8.2% of GDP (1992 budget) :Lesotho Geography:Lesotho Geography Total area: 30,350 km2 Land area: 30,350 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: 909 km; South Africa 909 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly highland with some plateaus, hills, and mountains Natural resources: some diamonds and other minerals, water, agricultural and grazing land Land use: arable land 10%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 66%; forest and woodland 0%; other 24% Environment: population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, soil exhaustion; desertification Note: landlocked; surrounded by South Africa; Highlands Water Project will control, store, and redirect water to South Africa :Lesotho People:Lesotho People Population: 1,848,925 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992) Birth rate: 35 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 74 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 63 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural); adjective - Basotho Ethnic divisions: Sotho 99.7%; Europeans 1,600, Asians 800 Religions: Christian 80%, rest indigenous beliefs Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho) and English (official); also Zulu and Xhosa Literacy: 59% (male 44%, female 68%) age 15 and over can read and write (1966) Labor force: 689,000 economically active; 86.2% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 60% of active male labor force works in South Africa Organized labor: there are two trade union federations; the government favors formation of a single, umbrella trade union confederation :Lesotho Government:Lesotho Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Lesotho Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Maseru Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka Independence: 4 October 1966 (from UK; formerly Basutoland) Constitution: 4 October 1966, suspended January 1970 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966) Executive branch: monarch, chairman of the Military Council, Military Council, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: none - the bicameral Parliament was dissolved following the military coup in January 1986; note - a National Constituent Assembly convened in June 1990 to rewrite the constitution and debate issues of national importance, but it has no legislative authority Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: King LETSIE III (since 12 November 1990 following dismissal of his father, exiled King MOSHOESHOE II, by Maj. Gen. LEKHANYA) Head of Government: Chairman of the Military Council Col. Elias Phisoana RAMAEMA (since 30 April 1991) Political parties and leaders: Basotho National Party (BNP), Evaristus SEKHONYANA; Basutoland Congress Party (BCP), Ntsu MOKHEHLE; National Independent Party (NIP), A. C. MANYELI; Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), Bernard M. KHAKETLA; United Democratic Party, Charles MOFELI; Communist Party of Lesotho (CPL), J. M. KENA Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: National Assembly: dissolved following the military coup in January 1986; military has pledged elections will take place in June 1992 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Tseliso THAMAE; Chancery at 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 797-5534 US: Ambassador Leonard H.O. SPEARMAN, Sr.; Embassy at address NA, Maseru (mailing address is P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100 Lesotho); telephone [266] 312-666; FAX (266) 310-116 :Lesotho Government:Lesotho Government 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: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 ($153 million in 1989). The great majority of households gain their livelihoods from subsistence farming and migrant labor. Manufacturing depends largely on farm products to support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries; other industries include textile, clothing, and light engineering. Industry's share of GDP rose from 6% in 1982 to 15% in 1989. Political and economic instability in South Africa raises uncertainty for Lesotho's economy, especially with respect to migrant worker remittances - typically about 40% of GDP. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $420 million, per capita $240; real growth rate 4.0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: at least 55% among adult males (1991 est.) Budget: expenditures $399 million, including capital expenditures of $132 million (FY92-93) Exports: $59 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: wool, mohair, wheat, cattle, peas, beans, corn, hides, skins, baskets partners: South Africa 53%, EC 30%, North and South America 13% (1989) Imports: $604 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: mainly corn, building materials, clothing, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum partners: South Africa 95%, EC 2% (1989) External debt: $370 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.8% (1989 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: power supplied by South Africa Industries: food, beverages, textiles, handicrafts, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 18% of GDP and employs 60-70% of all households; exceedingly primitive, mostly subsistence farming and livestock; principal crops are corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $268 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $819 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $14 million Currency: loti (plural - maloti); 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente Exchange rates: maloti (M) per US$1 - 2.8809 (March 1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987); note - the Basotho loti is at par with the South African rand :Lesotho Economy:Lesotho Economy Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Lesotho Communications:Lesotho Communications Railroads: 2.6 km; owned, operated by, and included in the statistics of South Africa Highways: 7,215 km total; 572 km paved; 2,337 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil; 1,806 km improved earth, 2,500 km unimproved earth (1988) Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 28 total, 28 usable; 3 with permanent surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: rudimentary system consisting of a few landlines, a small microwave system, and minor radio communications stations; 5,920 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Lesotho Defense Forces:Lesotho Defense Forces Branches: Royal Lesotho Defense Force (RLDF; including Army, Air Wing), Royal Lesotho Mounted Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 408,003; 220,129 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 13.1% of GDP (1990 est.) :Liberia Geography:Liberia Geography Total area: 111,370 km2 Land area: 96,320 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: 1,585 km; Guinea 563 km, Ivory Coast 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km Coastline: 579 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast 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%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: West Africa's largest tropical rain forest, subject to deforestation :Liberia People:Liberia People Population: 2,462,276 (July 1992), growth rate 29.6% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 265 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 119 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 54 years male, 59 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Liberian(s); adjective - Liberian Ethnic divisions: indigenous African tribes, including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, and Bella 95%; descendants of repatriated slaves known as Americo-Liberians 5% Religions: traditional 70%, Muslim 20%, Christian 10% Languages: English (official); more than 20 local languages of the Niger-Congo language group; English used by about 20% Literacy: 40% (male 50%, female 29%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 510,000, including 220,000 in the monetary economy; agriculture 70.5%, services 10.8%, industry and commerce 4.5%, other 14.2%; non-African foreigners hold about 95% of the top-level management and engineering jobs; 52% of population of working age Organized labor: 2% of labor force :Liberia Government:Liberia Government Long-form name: Republic of Liberia Type: republic Capital: Monrovia Administrative divisions: 13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa, Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, Sinoe Independence: 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: interim President Dr. Amos SAWYER (since 15 November 1990); Vice President, vacant (since August 1991); note - this is an interim government appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that will be replaced after elections are held under a West African - brokered peace plan; rival rebel factions led by Prince Y. JOHNSON and Charles TAYLOR are challenging the SAWYER government's legitimacy while observing a tenuous cease-fire; the former president, Gen. Dr. Samuel Kanyon DOE, was killed on 9 September 1990 by Prince Y. JOHNSON Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL), Augustus CAINE, chairman; Liberian Action Party (LAP), Emmanuel KOROMAH, chairman; Unity Party (UP), Carlos SMITH, chairman; United People's Party (UPP), Gabriel Baccus MATTHEWS, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - Gen. Dr. Samuel Kanyon DOE (NDPL) 50.9%, Jackson DOE (LAP) 26.4%, other 22.7%; note - President Doe was killed by rebel forces on 9 September 1990 Senate: last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (26 total) NDPL 21, LAP 3, UP 1, UPP 1 House of Representatives: last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (64 total) NDPL 51, LAP 8, UP 3, UPP 2 Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO :Liberia Government:Liberia Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Eugenia A. WORDSWORTH-STEVENSON; Chancery at 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011; telephone (202) 723-0437 through 0440; there is a Liberian Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Peter J. de VOS; Embassy at 111 United Nations Drive, Monrovia (mailing address is P. O. Box 98, Monrovia, or APO AE 09813; telephone [231] 222991 through 222994; FAX (231) 223-710 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:Liberia Economy Overview: Civil war during 1990 destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Expatriate businessmen 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 fled to neighboring countries. In 1991, the political impasse between the interim government and the rebel leader Charles Taylor prevented restoration of normal economic life. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $988 million, per capita $400; real growth rate 1.5% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1989) Unemployment rate: 43% urban (1988) Budget: revenues $242.1 million; expenditures $435.4 million, including capital expenditures of $29.5 million (1989) Exports: $505 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: iron ore 61%, rubber 20%, timber 11%, coffee partners: US, EC, Netherlands Imports: $394 million (c.i.f., 1989 est.) commodities: rice, mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, other foodstuffs partners: US, EC, Japan, China, Netherlands, ECOWAS External debt: $1.6 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.5% in manufacturing (1987); accounts for 22% of GDP Electricity: 410,000 kW capacity; 750 million kWh produced, 275 kWh per capita (1991) 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, and goats; not self-sufficient in food, imports 25% of rice consumption Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $665 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $870 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $25 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $77 million Currency: Liberian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Liberian dollars (L$) per US$1 - 1.00 (fixed rate since 1940); unofficial parallel exchange rate of L$7 = US$1, January 1992 :Liberia Economy:Liberia Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Liberia Communications:Liberia Communications Railroads: 480 km total; 328 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 152 km 1.067-meter narrow gauge; all lines single track; rail systems owned and operated by foreign steel and financial interests in conjunction with Liberian Government Highways: 10,087 km total; 603 km bituminous treated, 2,848 km all weather, 4,313 km dry weather; there are also 2,323 km of private, laterite-surfaced roads open to public use, owned by rubber and timber companies Ports: Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville, Harper (or Cape Palmas) Merchant marine: 1,564 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 54,049,124 DWT/ 95,338,925 DWT; includes 19 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 145 cargo, 51 refrigerated cargo, 22 roll-on/roll-off, 62 vehicle carrier, 89 container, 4 barge carrier, 460 petroleum tanker, 105 chemical, 57 combination ore/oil, 50 liquefied gas, 6 specialized tanker, 465 bulk, 1 multifunction large-load carrier, 27 combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry; all ships are foreign owned; the top 4 owning flags are US 18%, Japan 16%, Hong Kong 10%, and Norway 9% Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 66 total, 49 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: telephone and telegraph service via radio relay network; main center is Monrovia; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; most telecommunications services inoperable due to insurgency movement :Liberia Defense Forces:Liberia Defense Forces Branches: Monrovia-based Armed Forces of Liberia (Army only) along with a police force; rest of country controlled by the army of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) insurgent group Manpower availability: males 15-49, 585,224; 312,420 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Libya Geography:Libya Geography Total area: 1,759,540 km2 Land area: 1,759,540 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries: 4,383 km; Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,150 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km Coastline: 1,770 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm Gulf of Sidra closing line: 32 degrees 30 minutes N Disputes: claims and occupies the 100,000 km2 Aozou Strip in northern Chad; maritime boundary dispute with Tunisia; Libya claims about 19,400 km2 in northern Niger; Libya claims about 19,400 km2 in southeastern Algeria Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, gypsum Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 8%; forest and woodland 0%; other 91%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; desertification; sparse natural surface-water resources Note: the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities :Libya People:Libya People Population: 4,484,795 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992) Birth rate: 36 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 60 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Libyan(s); adjective - Libyan Ethnic divisions: Berber and Arab 97%; some Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians Religions: Sunni Muslim 97% Languages: Arabic; Italian and English widely understood in major cities Literacy: 64% (male 75%, female 50%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,000,000, includes about 280,000 resident foreigners; industry 31%, services 27%, government 24%, agriculture 18% Organized labor: National Trade Unions' Federation, 275,000 members; General Union for Oil and Petrochemicals; Pan-Africa Federation of Petroleum Energy and Allied Workers :Libya Government:Libya Government Long-form name: Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Digraph: Tripoli Administration divisions *** 25 municipalities (baladiyah, singular - baladiyat; Ajdabiya, Al `Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan Type: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses); in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship Capital: Tripoli Administration divisions Administrative divisions: 25 municipalities (baladiyah, singular - baladiyat; Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan Independence: 24 December 1951 (from Italy) 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 National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969) Executive branch: revolutionary leader, chairman of the General People's Committee (premier), General People's Committee (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral General People's Congress Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Revolutionary Leader Col. Mu`ammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969) Head of Government: Chairman of the General People's Committee (Premier) Abu Zayd `umar DURDA (since 7 October 1990) Political parties and leaders: none Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of peoples' committees Other political or pressure groups: various Arab nationalist movements and the Arab Socialist Resurrection (Ba'th) party with almost negligible memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elements Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO :Libya Government:Libya Government Diplomatic representation: none Flag: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion) :Libya Economy: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. Since 1980, however, the sharp drop in oil prices and the resulting decline in export revenues have adversely affected economic development. In 1988 per capita GDP was the highest in Africa at $5,410, but GDP growth rates have slowed and fluctuate sharply in response to changes in the world oil market. Import restrictions and inefficient resource allocations have led to shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs, although the reopening of the Libyan-Tunisian border in April 1988 and the Libyan-Egyptian border in December 1989 have somewhat eased shortages. Austerity budgets and a lack of trained technicians have undermined the government's ability to implement a number of planned infrastructure development projects. Windfall revenues from the hike in world oil prices in late 1990 improved the foreign payments position and resulted in a current account surplus for the first time in five years. The nonoil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 22% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Although agriculture accounts for about 5% of GDP, it employs about 20% of the labor force. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit farm output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food requirements. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $28.9 billion, per capita $6,800; real growth rate 9% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 2% (1988 est.) Budget: revenues $8.1 billion; expenditures $9.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.1 billion (1989 est.) Exports: $11 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: petroleum, peanuts, hides partners: Italy, USSR, Germany, Spain, France, Belgium/Luxembourg, Turkey Imports: $7.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goods partners: Italy, USSR, Germany, UK, Japan External debt: $3.5 billion, excluding military debt (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate - 4%; accounts for 22% of GDP (not including oil) (1989) Electricity: 4,700,000 kW capacity; 13,700 million kWh produced, 3,100 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement Agriculture: 5% of GNP; cash crops - wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus fruits, peanuts; 75% of food is imported Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $242 million; no longer a recipient :Libya Economy:Libya Economy Currency: Libyan dinar (plural - dinars); 1 Libyan dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams Exchange rates: Libyan dinars (LD) per US$1 - 0.2743 (March 1992), 0.2669 (1991), 0.2699 (1990), 0.2922 (1989), 0.2853 (1988), 0.2706 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Libya Communications:Libya Communications Pipelines: crude oil 4,383 km; natural gas 1,947 km; petroleum products 443 km (includes liquid petroleum gas 256 km) Ports: Tobruk, Tripoli, Banghazi, Misratah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf Merchant marine: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 684,969 GRT/1,209,084 DWT; includes 3 short-sea passenger, 11 cargo, 4 roll-on/roll-off, 10 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas Civil air: 59 major transport aircraft Airports: 133 total, 120 usable; 53 with permanent-surface runways; 9 with runways over 3,659 m; 28 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 46 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: modern telecommunications system using radio relay, coaxial cable, tropospheric scatter, and domestic satellite stations; 370,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 17 AM, 3 FM, 12 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 14 domestic; submarine cables to France and Italy; radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; planned ARABSAT and Intersputnik satellite stations :Libya Defense Forces:Libya Defense Forces Branches: Armed Peoples of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (including Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Command), National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,056,686; 624,027 fit for military service; 50,916 reach military age (17) annually; conscription now being implemented Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, 11.1% of GDP (1987) :Liechtenstein Geography:Liechtenstein Geography Total area: 160 km2 Land area: 160 km2 Comparative area: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 78 km; Austria 37 km, Switzerland 41 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none 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% Environment: variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation Note: landlocked :Liechtenstein People:Liechtenstein People Population: 28,642 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 5 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (1992) 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: 100% (male 100%, female 100%) age 10 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 19,905, of which 11,933 are foreigners; 6,885 commute from Austria and Switzerland to work each day; industry, trade, and building 53.2%, services 45%, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 1.8% (1990) Organized labor: NA :Liechtenstein Government:Liechtenstein Government Long-form name: Principality of Liechtenstein Type: hereditary constitutional monarchy Capital: Vaduz Administrative divisions: 11 communes (gemeinden, singular - gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz Independence: 23 January 1719, Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established Constitution: 5 October 1921 Legal system: local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Assumption Day, 15 August Executive branch: reigning prince, hereditary prince, head of government, deputy head of government Legislative branch: unicameral Diet (Landtag) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for criminal cases and Superior Court (Obergericht) for civil cases Leaders: Chief of State: Prince Hans ADAM II (since 13 November 1989; assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS von und zu Liechtenstein (born 11 June 1968) Head of Government: Hans BRUNHART (since 26 April 1978); Deputy Head of Government Dr. Herbert WILLE (since 2 February 1986) Political parties and leaders: Fatherland Union (VU), Dr. Otto HASLER; Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), Emanuel VOGT; Free Electoral List (FW) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Diet: last held on 5 March 1989 (next to be held by March 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (25 total) VU 13, FBP 12 Member of: CE, CSCE, EBRD, IAEA, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO Diplomatic representation: in routine diplomatic matters, Liechtenstein is represented in the US by the Swiss Embassy US: the US has no diplomatic or consular mission in Liechtenstein, but the US Consul General at Zurich (Switzerland) has consular accreditation at Vaduz Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band :Liechtenstein Economy:Liechtenstein Economy Overview: The prosperous economy is based primarily on small-scale light industry and tourism. Industry accounts for 53% of total employment, the service sector 45% (mostly based on tourism), and agriculture and forestry 2%. The sale of postage stamps to collectors is estimated at $10 million annually. 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. Such companies, incorporated solely for tax purposes, provide 30% of state revenues. The economy is tied closely to that of Switzerland in a customs union, and incomes and living standards parallel those of the more prosperous Swiss groups. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $630 million, per capita $22,300; real growth rate NA% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1990) Unemployment rate: 1.5% (1990) Budget: revenues $259 million; expenditures $292 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1990) Exports: $1.6 billion commodities: small specialty machinery, dental products, stamps, hardware, pottery partners: EFTA countries 20.9% (Switzerland 15.4%), EC countries 42.7%, other 36.4% (1990) Imports: $NA commodities: machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles partners: NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 23,000 kW capacity; 150 million kWh produced, 5,340 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism Agriculture: livestock, vegetables, corn, wheat, potatoes, grapes Economic aid: none Currency: Swiss franc, franken, or franco (plural - francs, franken, or franchi); 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.5079 (March 1992), 1.4340 (1991), 1.3892 (1990), 1.6359 (1989), 1.4633 (1988), 1.4912 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Liechtenstein Communications:Liechtenstein Communications Railroads: 18.5 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, electrified; owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways Highways: 130.66 km main roads, 192.27 km byroads Civil air: no transport aircraft Airports: none Telecommunications: limited, but sufficient automatic telephone system; 25,400 telephones; linked to Swiss networks by cable and radio relay for international telephone, radio, and TV services :Liechtenstein Defense Forces:Liechtenstein Defense Forces Branches: Police Department Note: defense is responsibility of Switzerland :Lithuania Geography:Lithuania Geography Total area: 65,200 km2 Land area: 65,200 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: 1,273 km; Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km Coastline: 108 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: NA meter depth Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Territorial sea: NA nm Disputes: dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) over the position of the Neman River border presently located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver as by international standards Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil Natural resources: peat Land use: 49.1% arable land; NA% permanent crops; 22.2% meadows and pastures; 16.3% forest and woodland; 12.4% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: NA :Lithuania People:Lithuania People Population: 3,788,542 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 18 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Lithuanian(s); adjective - Lithuanian Ethnic divisions: Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Poles 7.7%, Byelorussian 1.5%, other 2.1% Religions: Catholic NA%, Lutheran NA%, unknown NA%, none NA%, other NA% Languages: Lithuanian (official), Polish NA%, Russian NA% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 1,836,000; industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%, other 40% (1990) Organized labor: Lithuanian Trade Union Association; Labor Federation of Lithuania; Union of Workers :Lithuania Government:Lithuania Government Long-form name: Republic of Lithuania Type: republic Capital: Vilnius Administrative divisions: none - all rayons are under direct republic jurisdiction Independence: 1918; annexed by the Soviet Union 3 August 1940; restored independence 11 March 1990; and regained indpendence from the USSR 6 September 1991 Constitution: NA; Constitutional Commission has drafted a new constitution that will be sent to Parliament for ratification Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February; Defenders of Freedom Day, 13 January Executive branch: prime minister, Council of Ministers, Government, Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council, Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; district and city courts; Procurator General of Lithuania Leaders: Chief of State: Chairman, Supreme Council Vytautas LANDSBERGIS (since March 1990), Deputy Chairmen Bronius KUZMICKAS (since March 1990), Ceslovas STANKEVICIUS (since March 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister Gediminas VAGNORIUS (since January 1991); Deputy Prime Ministers Algis DOBROVOLSKAS (since January 1991), Vytantas PAKALNISKIS (since January 1991), Zigmas VAISVILA (since January 1991) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party, FNU KATILIUS, chairman; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania, Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS, chairman; Lithuanian Democratic Party, Sauluis PECELIUNAS, chairman; Lithuanian Green Party, Irena IGNATAVICIENE, chairwoman; Lithuanian Humanism Party, Vytautas KAZLAUSKAS, chairman; Lithuanian Independence Party, Virgilijus CEPAITIS, chairman; Lithuanian Liberty League, Antanas TERLECKAS; Lithuanian Liberals Union, Vytautus RADZVILAS, chairman; Lithuanian Nationalist Union, Rimantas SMETONA, chairman; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, Aloizas SAKALAS, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held March 1990 (elected by Parliament); results - LANDSBERGIS, BRAZAUSKAS Supreme Council: last held 24 February 1990; results - Sajudis (nationalist movement won a large majority) (90) 63%; seats - (141 total) Other political or pressure groups: Sajudis; Lithuanian Future Forum; Farmers Union Member of: CSCE, IAEA, ILO, NACC, UN, UNCTAD :Lithuania Government:Lithuania Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Stasys LOZORAITIS, Jr.; Embassy at 2622 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 234-5860, 2639 US: Ambassador Darryl JOHNSON; Embassy at Mykolaicio putino 4, Vilnius; (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone [7] (01-22) 628-049 Flag: yellow, green, and red horizontal stripes :Lithuania Economy:Lithuania Economy Overview: Lithuania is striving to become a small, independent, largely privatized economy rather than a segment of a huge, centrally planned economy. Although substantially above average in living standards and technology in the old USSR, Lithuania historically lagged behind Latvia and Estonia in economic development. It is ahead of its Baltic neighbors, however, in implementing market reform. The country has no important natural resources aside from its arable land and strategic location. Industry depends entirely on imported materials that have come from the republics of the former USSR. Lithuania benefits from its ice-free port at Klaipeda on the Baltic Sea and its rail and highway hub at Vilnius, which provides land communication between Eastern Europe and Russia, Latvia, Estonia, and Belarus. Industry produces a small assortment of high-quality products, ranging from complex machine tools to sophisticated consumer electronics. Thanks to nuclear power, Lithuania is presently self-sufficient in electricity, exporting its surplus to Latvia and Belarus; the nuclear facilities inherited from the USSR, however, have come under world scrutiny as seriously deficient in safety standards. Agriculture is efficient compared with most of the former Soviet Union. Lithuania holds first place in per capita consumption of meat, second place for eggs and potatoes, and fourth place for milk and dairy products. Grain must be imported to support the meat and dairy industries. As to economic reforms, Lithuania is pressing ahead with plans to privatize at least 60% of state-owned property (industry, agriculture, and housing) having already sold many small enterprises using a voucher system. Other government priorities include stimulating foreign investment by protecting the property rights of foreign firms and redirecting foreign trade away from Eastern markets to the more competitive Western markets. For the moment, Lithuania will remain highly dependent on Russia for energy, raw materials, grains, and markets for its products. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $NA; per capita NA; real growth rate -13% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 200% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues 4.8 billion rubles; expenditures 4.7 billion rubles (1989 economic survey); note - budget revenues and expenditures are not given for other former Soviet republics; implied deficit from these figures does not have a clear interpretation Exports: 700 million rubles (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: electronics 18%, petroleum products 16%, food 10%, chemicals 6% (1989) partners: Russia 60%, Ukraine 15%, other former Soviet republics 20%, West 5% Imports: 2.2 billion rubles (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% partners: NA External debt: $650 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -1.3% (1991) Electricity: 5,875,000 kW capacity; 25,500 million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita (1991) :Lithuania Economy:Lithuania Economy Industries: employs 25% of the labor force; its shares in the total production of the former USSR are metal-cutting machine tools 6.6%; electric motors 4.6%; television sets 6.2%; refrigerators and freezers 5.4%; other production includes petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, and amber Agriculture: employs 29% of labor force; sugar, grain, potatoes, sugarbeets, vegetables, meat, milk, dairy products, eggs, and fish; most developed are the livestock and dairy branches - these depend on imported grain; Lithuania is a net exporter of meat, milk, and eggs Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency but planning early introduction of ``litas'' Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Lithuania Communications:Lithuania Communications Railroads: 2,010 km (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 44,200 km total (1990); 35,500 km hard surfaced, 8,700 km earth Inland waterways: 600 km perennially navigable Pipelines: NA Ports: maritime - Klaipeda; inland - Kaunas Merchant marine: 66 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 268,854 GRT/315,690 DWT; includes 27 cargo, 24 timber carrier, 1 container, 3 railcar carrier, 11 combination bulk Civil air: NA Airports: NA Telecommunications: better developed than in most other former USSR republics; 22.4 telephones per 100 persons; broadcast stations - 13 AM, 26 FM, 1 SW, 1 LW, 3 TV; landlines or microwave to former USSR republics; leased connection to the Moscow international switch for traffic with other countries; satellite earth stations - (8 channels to Norway) :Lithuania Defense Forces:Lithuania Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard/Volunteers; Russian Forces (Ground, Navy, Air, and Air Defense) Manpower availability: NA :Luxembourg Geography:Luxembourg Geography Total area: 2,586 km Land area: 2,586 km Comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: 359 km; Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers Terrain: mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle floodplain in the southeast 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% Environment: deforestation Note: landlocked :Luxembourg People:Luxembourg People Population: 392,405 (July 1992), growth rate 1.0% (1992) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 7 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 80 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Luxembourger(s); adjective - Luxembourg Ethnic divisions: Celtic base, with French and German blend; also guest and worker residents from Portugal, Italy, and European countries Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant and Jewish 3% Languages: Luxembourgisch, German, French; many also speak English Literacy: 100% (male 100%, female 100%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 177,300; one-third of labor force is foreign workers, mostly from Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium, and FRG; services 65%, industry 31.6%, agriculture 3.4% (1988) Organized labor: 100,000 (est.) members of four confederated trade unions :Luxembourg Government:Luxembourg Government Long-form name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Luxembourg Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg Independence: 1839 Constitution: 17 October 1868, occasional revisions Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day (public celebration of the Grand Duke's birthday), 23 June (1921) Executive branch: grand duke, prime minister, vice prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes); note - the Council of State (Conseil d'Etat) is an advisory body whose views are considered by the Chamber of Deputies Judicial branch: Superior Court of Justice (Cour Superieure de Justice) Leaders: Chief of State: Grand Duke JEAN (since 12 November 1964); Heir Apparent Prince HENRI (son of Grand Duke Jean, born 16 April 1955) Head of Government: Prime Minister Jacques SANTER (since 21 July 1984); Vice Prime Minister Jacques F. POOS (since 21 July 1984) Political parties and leaders: Christian Social Party (CSV), Jacques SANTER; Socialist Workers Party (LSAP), Jacques POOS; Liberal (DP), Colette FLESCH; Communist (KPL), Andre HOFFMANN; Green Alternative (GAP), Jean HUSS Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held on 18 June 1989 (next to be held by June 1994); results - CSV 31.7%, LSAP 27.2%, DP 16.2%, Greens 8.4%, PAC 7.3%, KPL 5.1%, other 4.1%; seats - (60 total) CSV 22, LSAP 18, DP 11, Greens 4, PAC 4, KPL 1 Other political or pressure groups: group of steel industries representing iron and steel industry, Centrale Paysanne representing agricultural producers; Christian and Socialist labor unions; Federation of Industrialists; Artisans and Shopkeepers Federation Member of: ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CCC, CE, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, EMS, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Alphonse BERNS; Chancery at 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-4171; there are Luxembourg Consulates General in New York and San Francisco :Luxembourg Government:Luxembourg Government US: Ambassador Edward M. ROWELL; Embassy at 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, 2535 Luxembourg City; PSC 11 (mailing address is APO AE 09132-5380); telephone [352] 460123; FAX [352] 461401 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:Luxembourg Economy Overview: The stable 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 and is also closely connected economically to the Netherlands. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $7.83 billion, per capita $20,200; real growth rate 2.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1990) Unemployment rate: 1.3% (1990) Budget: revenues $2.5 billion; expenditures $2.3 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (1988) Exports: $6.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: finished steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass, aluminum, other industrial products partners: EC 75%, US 5% Imports: $7.5 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods partners: Belgium 37%, FRG 31%, France 12%, US 2% External debt: $131.6 million (1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate - 0.5% (1990); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity: 1,500,000 kW capacity; 1,163 million kWh produced, 3,170 kWh per capita (1991) 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: Luxembourg franc (plural - francs); 1 Luxembourg franc (LuxF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Luxembourg francs (LuxF) per US$1 - 32.462 (January 1992), 34.148 (1991), 33.418 (1990), 39.404 (1989), 36.768 (1988), 37.334 (1987); note - the Luxembourg franc is at par with the Belgian franc, which circulates freely in Luxembourg Fiscal year: calendar year :Luxembourg Communications:Luxembourg Communications Railroads: Luxembourg National Railways (CFL) operates 270 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; 162 km double track; 162 km electrified Highways: 5,108 km total; 4,995 km paved, 57 km gravel, 56 km earth; about 80 km limited access divided highway Inland waterways: 37 km; Moselle River Pipelines: petroleum products 48 km Ports: Mertert (river port) Merchant marine: 49 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,592,985 GRT/2,642,249 DWT; includes 3 cargo, 5 container, 5 roll-on/roll-off, 6 petroleum tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 3 combination ore/oil, 8 liquefied gas, 1 passenger, 8 bulk, 6 combination bulk Civil air: 13 major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways less than 1,220 m Telecommunications: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables; 230,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; 3 channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable; 1 direct-broadcast satellite earth station; nationwide mobile phone system :Luxembourg Defense Forces:Luxembourg Defense Forces Branches: Army, National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 100,994; 83,957 fit for military service; 2,320 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 1.4% of GDP (1991) :Macau Geography:Macau Geography Total area: 16 km2 Land area: 16 km2 Comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0.34 km; China 0.34 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: not known 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% Environment: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland Note: 27 km west-southwest of Hong Kong on the southeast coast of China :Macau People:Macau People Population: 473,333 (July 1992), growth rate 1.7% (1992) Birth rate: 17 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 78 years male, 84 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Macanese (singular and plural); adjective - Macau Ethnic divisions: Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%, other 2% Religions: Buddhist 45%, Roman Catholic 7%, Protestant 1%, none 45.8%, other 1.2% (1981) Languages: Portuguese (official); Cantonese is the language of commerce Literacy: 90% (male 93%, female 86%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 180,000 (1986) Organized labor: none :Macau Government:Macau Government Long-form name: none Type: overseas territory of Portugal; scheduled to revert to China in 1999 Capital: Macau Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Ilhas, Macau Independence: none (territory of Portugal); Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50 years after transition Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law drafted primarily by Beijing awaiting final approval Legal system: Portuguese civil law system National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June Executive branch: President of Portugal, governor, Consultative Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since 9 March 1986) Head of Government: Governor Gen. Vasco Joachim Rocha VIEIRA (since 20 March 1991) Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests of Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development of Macau; Macau Independent Group Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held on 10 March 1991; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total; 8 elected by universal suffrage, 8 by indirect suffrage, and 7 appointed by the governor) number of seats by party NA 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: IMO (associate), WTO (associate) Diplomatic representation: as Chinese territory under Portuguese administration, Macanese interests in the US are represented by Portugal US: the US has no offices in Macau, and US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong Flag: the flag of Portugal is used :Macau Economy: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 36% of GDP in 1991. Macau depends on China for most of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong are the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $3.1 billion, per capita $6,900; real growth rate 6% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.8% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 2% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $305 million; expenditures $298 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989) Exports: $1.5 billion (1990 est.) commodities: textiles, clothing, toys partners: US 33%, Hong Kong 15%, FRG 12%, France 10% (1987) Imports: $1.8 billion (1990 est.) commodities: raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods partners: Hong Kong 39%, China 21%, Japan 10% (1987) External debt: $91 million (1985) Industrial production: NA Electricity: 220,000 kW capacity; 520 million kWh produced, 1,165 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture, tourism Agriculture: rice, vegetables; food shortages - rice, vegetables, meat; depends mostly on imports for food requirements Economic aid: none Currency: pataca (plural - patacas); 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1 - 8.034 (1991), 8.024 (1990), 8.030 (1989), 8.044 (1988), 7.993 (1987); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar Fiscal year: calendar year :Macau Communications:Macau Communications Highways: 42 km paved Ports: Macau Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: none useable, 1 under construction; 1 seaplane station Telecommunications: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services; 52,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 75,000 radio receivers (est.); international high-frequency radio communication facility; access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Macau Defense Forces:Macau Defense Forces Manpower availability: males 15-49, 135,923; 76,414 fit for military service Note: defense is responsibility of Portugal :Macedonia Header:Macedonia Header Note: Macedonia has proclaimed independent statehood but has not been formally recognized as a state by the United States. :Macedonia Geography:Macedonia Geography Total area: 25,333 km2 Land area: 24,856 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Vermont Land boundaries: 748 km; Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 228 km, Serbia and Montenegro 221 km Coastline: none - landlocked Disputes: Greece claims republic's name implies territorial claims against Aegean Macedonia Climate: hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall Terrain: territory covered with deep basins and valleys; there are three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulphur, timber Land use: arable land 5%; permanent crops 5%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest and woodland 30%; other 40%; includes irrigated NA% Environment: Macedonia suffers from high seismic hazard; air pollution from metallurgical plants Note: major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea :Macedonia People:Macedonia People Population: 2,174,000 (July 1992), growth rate NA% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Ethnic divisions: Macedonian 67%, Albanian 20%, Turkish 4%, Serb 2%, other 7% Religions: Eastern Orthodox 59%, Muslim 26%, Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, unknown 10% Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3% Literacy: 89.1% (male 94.2%, female 83.8%) age 10 and over can read and write (1992 est.) Labor force: 507,324; agriculture 8%, manufacturing and mining 40% (1990) Organized labor: NA :Macedonia Government:Macedonia Government Long-form name: Republic of Macedonia Type: emerging democracy Capital: Skopje Administrative divisions: NA Independence: 20 November 1991 from Yugoslavia Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: NA Executive branch: presidency, Council of Ministers, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Judicial Court of the Republic Leaders: Chief of State: President Kiro GLIGOROV (since 27 January 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Nikola KLJUSEV (since March 1991), Deputy Prime Ministers Jovan ANDONOV (since March 1991), Blaze RISTOVSKI (since March 1991), and Bezir ZUTA (since March 1991) Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Alliance (SDA; former Communist Party), Branko CRVENKOVSKI, chairman; Party of Democratic Prosperity, (PDP), Nevzat HALILI, chairman; National Democratic Party, Iliaz HALIMI, chairman; Alliance of Reform Forces of Macedonia (MARF), Sojan ANDOV, chairman; Socialist Party, chairman NA; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (IMRO-DPMNU), Ljupco GEORGIEVSKI, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 27 January 1991 (next to be held NA); results - Kiro GLIGOREV won Assembly: last held 11 November 1990 (next to be held NA);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) IMRO-DPMNU 37, SDA 31, PDP 25, MARF 17, Party of Yugoslavs 1, Socialists 5, others 4 Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: Movement for All Macedonian Action (MAAK), IMRU-Democratic Party, League for Democracy, Albanian Democratic Union-Liberal Party Member of: none Diplomatic representation: has not been formerly recognized by the US Flag: NA :Macedonia Economy:Macedonia Economy Overview: Macedonia, although the poorest among the six republics of a disintegrated Yugoslav federation, can meet basic food and energy needs through its own agricultural and coal resources. As a breakaway republic, however, it will move down toward a bare subsistence level of life unless economic ties are reforged or enlarged with its neighbors Serbia, Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. The economy depends on outside sources for all of its oil and gas and its modern machinery and parts. Continued political turmoil, both internally and in the region as a whole, prevents any swift readjustments of trade patterns and economic rules of the game. Inflation in early 1992 was out of control, the result of fracturing trade links, the decline in economic activity, and general uncertainties about the future status of the country; prices rose 38% in March 1992 alone. Macedonia's geographical isolation, technological backwardness, and political instability place it far down the list of countries of interest to Western investors. Recognition of Macedonia by the EC and an internal commitment to economic reform would help to encourage foreign investment over the long run. GDP: $7.1 billion, per capita $3,110; real growth rate -18% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.) Exports: $578 million (1990) commodities: manufactured goods 40%, machinery and transport equipment 14%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 23%, raw materials 7.6%, food (rice) and live animals 5.7%, beverages and tobacco 4.5%, chemicals 4.7% partners: principally Serbia and the other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, Greece, Albania Imports: $1,112 million (1990) commodities: fuels and lubricants 19%, manufactured goods 18%, machinery and transport equipment 15%, food and live animals 14%, chemicals 11.4%, raw materials 10%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 8.0%, beverages and tobacco 3.5% partners: other former Yugoslav republics, Greece, Albania, Germany, Bulgaria External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate -18% (1991 est.) Electricity: 1,600,000 kw capacity; 6,300 million kWh produced, 3,103 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: low levels of technology predominate, such as, oil refining by distillation only; produces basic fuels; mining and manufacturing processes result in the extraction and production of coal as well as metallic chromium, lead, zinc, and ferronickel; light industry produces basic textiles, wood products, and tobacco Agriculture: provides 12% of Macedonia's GDP and meets the basic need for food; principal crops are rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, and millet; also grown are cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus fruit, and vegetables; Macedonia is one of the seven legal cultivators of the opium poppy for the world pharmaceutical industry, including some exports to the US; agricultural production is highly labor intensive :Macedonia Economy:Macedonia Economy Illicit drugs: NA Economic aid: $NA Currency: denar (plural - denars); 1 denar (NA) = 100 NA Exchange rates: denar (NA) per US$1 - 240 (January 1991) Fiscal year: calendar year :Macedonia Communications:Macedonia Communications Railroads: NA Highways: 10,591 km total (1991); 5,091 km paved, 1,404 km gravel, 4,096 km earth Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: none Ports: none - landlocked Airports: 2 main Telecommunications: 125,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 2 FM, 5 (2 relays) TV; 370,000 radios, 325,000 TV; satellite communications ground stations - none :Macedonia Defense Forces:Macedonia Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 590,613; NA fit for military service; 22,913 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - 7.0 billion dinars (est.), NA% of GDP (1992); note - conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results :Madagascar Geography:Madagascar Geography Total area: 587,040 km2 Land area: 581,540 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona Land boundaries: none Coastline: 4,828 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France) Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center 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%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: subject to periodic cyclones; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel :Madagascar People:Madagascar People Population: 12,596,263 (July 1992), growth rate 3.2% (1992) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 93 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 51 years male, 55 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Malagasy (singular and plural); adjective - Malagasy Ethnic divisions: basic split between highlanders of predominantly Malayo-Indonesian origin (Merina and related Betsileo) on the one hand and coastal tribes, collectively termed the Cotiers, with mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry (Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), on the other; there are also small French, Indian, Creole, and Comoran communities; no current, accurate assessment of tribal numbers is available Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian about 41%, Muslim 7% Languages: French and Malagasy (official) Literacy: 80% (male 88%, female 73%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 4,900,000; 90% nonsalaried family workers engaged in subsistence agriculture; 175,000 wage earners - agriculture 26%, domestic service 17%, industry 15%, commerce 14%, construction 11%, services 9%, transportation 6%, other 2%; 51% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: 4% of labor force :Madagascar Government:Madagascar Government Long-form name: Democratic Republic of Madagascar Type: republic Capital: Antananarivo Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (plural - NA, singular - faritanin'); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France; formerly Malagasy Republic) Constitution: 21 December 1975; note - a new constitution is to be in place before 1993 Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Popular National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire); note - the National Assembly has suspended its operations during 1992 in preparation for new legislative and presidential elections. In its place, an interim High Authority of State and a Social and Economic Recovery Council have been established Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle) Leaders: Chief of State: President Adm. Didier RATSIRAKA (since 15 June 1975) Head of Government: Prime Minister Guy RASANAMAZY (since 8 August 1991) Political parties and leaders: some 30 political parties now exist in Madagascar, the most important of which are the Advance Guard of the Malagasy Revolution (AREMA), Didier RATSIRAKA; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence (AKFM), RAKOTOVAO-ANDRIATIANA; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence-Revival (AKFM-R), Pastor Richard ANDRIAMANJATO; Movement for National Unity (VONJY), Dr. Marojama RAZANABAHINY; Malagasy Christian Democratic Union (UDECMA), Norbert ANDRIAMORASATA; Militants for the Establishment of a Proletarian Regime (MFM), Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA; National Movement for the Independence of Madagascar (MONIMA), Monja JAONA; National Union for the Defense of Democracy (UNDD), Albert ZAFY Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held on 12 March 1989 (next to be held NA 1992); results - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 62%, Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA (MFM/MFT) 20%, Dr. Jerome Marojama RAZANABAHINY (VONJY) 15%, Monja JAONA (MONIMA) 3% Popular National Assembly: last held on 28 May 1989 (next to be held 1992); results - AREMA 88.2%, MFM 5.1%, AKFM 3.7%, VONJY 2.2%, other 0.8%; seats - (137 total) AREMA 120, MFM 7, AKFM 5, VONJY 4, MONIMA 1 :Madagascar Government:Madagascar Government Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO; Chancery at 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-5525 or 5526; there is a Malagasy Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Howard K. WALKER; Embassy at 14 and 16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo (mailing address is B. P. 620, Antananarivo); telephone [261] (2) 212-57, 209-56, 200-89, 207-18 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side :Madagascar Economy:Madagascar Economy Overview: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 40% of GDP, employing about 80% of the labor force, and contributing to more than 70% of total export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing; in 1990 it accounted for only 16% of GDP and employed almost 5% of the labor force. 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. After mid-1991, however, output dropped sharply because of protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political reform. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, per capita $200; real growth rate -3.8% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $390 million; expenditures $525 million, including capital expenditures of $240 million (1990 est.) Exports: $290 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 15%, cloves 11%, sugar, petroleum products partners: France, Japan, Italy, Germany, US Imports: $436 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13% partners: France, Germany, UK, other EC, US External debt: $4.4 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 5.2% (1990 est.); accounts for 16% of GDP Electricity: 125,000 kW capacity; 450 million kWh produced, 35 kWh per capita (1991) 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 40% 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 varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $136 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3,125 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $491 million Currency: Malagasy franc (plural - francs); 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes :Madagascar Economy:Madagascar Economy Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 1,943.4 (March 1992), 1,835.4 (1991), 1,454.6 (December 1990), 1,603.4 (1989) , 1,407.1 (1988), 1,069.2 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Madagascar Communications:Madagascar Communications Railroads: 1,020 km 1.000-meter gauge Highways: 40,000 km total; 4,694 km paved, 811 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil, 34,495 km improved and unimproved earth (est.) Inland waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Canal des Pangalanes Ports: Toamasina, Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toliara Merchant marine: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 59,255 GRT/81,509 DWT; includes 9 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas Civil air: 8 major transport aircraft Airports: 148 total, 103 usable; 30 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 34 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay, and troposcatter links; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and broadcast stations - 17 AM, 3 FM, 1 (36 repeaters) TV :Madagascar Defense Forces:Madagascar Defense Forces Branches: Popular Armed Forces (including Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - including Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,730,713; 1,625,335 fit for military service; 114,687 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $37 million, 2.2% of GDP (1989 est.) :Malawi Geography:Malawi Geography Total area: 118,480 km2 Land area: 94,080 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: 2,881 km; Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains Natural resources: limestone; unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite Land use: arable land 25%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest and woodland 50%; other 5%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: deforestation Note: landlocked :Malawi People:Malawi People Population: 9,605,342 (July 1992), growth rate 1.8% (1992); note - 900,000 Mozambican refugees in Malawi (1990 est.) Birth rate: 52 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 17 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -17 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 134 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 48 years male, 51 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Malawian(s); adjective - Malawian Ethnic divisions: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%; traditional indigenous beliefs are also practiced Languages: English and Chichewa (official); other languages important regionally Literacy: 22% (male 34%, female 12%) age 15 and over can read and write (1966) Labor force: 428,000 wage earners; agriculture 43%, manufacturing 16%, personal services 15%, commerce 9%, construction 7%, miscellaneous services 4%, other permanently employed 6% (1986) Organized labor: small minority of wage earners are unionized :Malawi Government:Malawi Government Long-form name: Republic of Malawi Type: one-party state Capital: Lilongwe Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK; formerly Nyasaland) Constitution: 6 July 1964; 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1964) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Dr. Hastings Kamuzu BANDA (since 6 July 1966; sworn in as President for Life 6 July 1971) Political parties and leaders: only party - Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Wadson DELEZA, administrative secretary; John TEMBO, treasurer general; top party position of secretary general vacant since 1983 Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President: President BANDA sworn in as President for Life on 6 July 1971 National Assembly: last held 27-28 May 1987 (next to be held by May 1992); results - MCP is the only party; seats - (133 total, 112 elected) MCP 133 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Robert B. MBAYA; Chancery at 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 797-1007 US: Ambassador Michael T. F. PISTOR; Embassy in new capital city development area, address NA (mailing address is P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe); telephone [265] 730-166; FAX [265] 732-282 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: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. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.9 billion, per capita $200; growth rate 4.2% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $398 million; expenditures $510 million, including capital expenditures of $154 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $390 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts partners: US, UK, Zambia, South Africa, Germany Imports: $560 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: food, petroleum, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment partners: South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Zimbabwe External debt: $1.8 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.0% (1990 est.); accounts for about 18% of GDP (1988) Electricity: 185,000 kW capacity; 550 million kWh produced, 60 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: agricultural processing (tea, tobacco, sugar), sawmilling, cement, consumer goods Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops - tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, and corn; subsistence crops - potatoes, cassava, sorghum, pulses; livestock - cattle and goats Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $215 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2,150 million Currency: Malawian kwacha (plural - kwacha); 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala Exchange rates: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1 - 2.7200 (January 1992), 2.8033 (1991), 2.7289 (1990), 2.7595 (1989), 2.5613 (1988), 2.2087 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Malawi Communications:Malawi Communications Railroads: 789 km 1.067-meter gauge Highways: 13,135 km total; 2,364 km paved; 251 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil; 10,520 km earth and improved earth Inland waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km Ports: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, and Nkotakota - all on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) Civil air: 5 major transport aircraft Airports: 48 total, 43 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system of open-wire lines, radio relay links, and radio communications stations; 42,250 telephones; broadcast stations - 10 AM, 17 FM, no TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT Note: a majority of exports would normally go through Mozambique on the Beira or Nacala railroads, but now most go through South Africa because of insurgent activity and damage to rail lines :Malawi Defense Forces:Malawi Defense Forces Branches: Army (including Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police (including paramilitary Mobile Force Unit), paramilitary Malawi Young Pioneers Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,000,406; 1,016,901 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22 million, 1.6% of GDP (1989 est.) :Malaysia Geography:Malaysia Geography Total area: 329,750 km2 Land area: 328,550 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: 2,669 km; Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782, Thailand 506 km Coastline: 4,675 km; Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation, specified boundary in the South China Sea Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; State of Sabah claimed by the Philippines; Brunei may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides Brunei into two parts; two islands in dispute with Singapore Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Natural resources: tin, crude oil, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops 10%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 63%; other 24%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: subject to flooding; air and water pollution Note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea :Malaysia People:Malaysia People Population: 18,410,920 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 27 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Malaysian(s); adjective - Malaysian Ethnic divisions: Malay and other indigenous 59%, Chinese 32%, Indian 9% Religions: Peninsular Malaysia - Malays nearly all Muslim, Chinese predominantly Buddhists, Indians predominantly Hindu; Sabah - Muslim 38%, Christian 17%, other 45%; Sarawak - tribal religion 35%, Buddhist and Confucianist 24%, Muslim 20%, Christian 16%, other 5% Languages: Peninsular Malaysia - Malay (official); English, Chinese dialects, Tamil; Sabah - English, Malay, numerous tribal dialects, Mandarin and Hakka dialects predominate among Chinese; Sarawak - English, Malay, Mandarin, numerous tribal languages Literacy: 78% (male 86%, female 70%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 7,258,000 (1991 est.) Organized labor: 640,000; 10% of total labor force (1990) :Malaysia Government:Malaysia Government Long-form name: none Type: Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; constitutional monarchy nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament; Peninsular Malaysian states - hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, where governors are appointed by Malaysian Pulau Pinang Government; powers of state governments are limited by federal Constitution; Sabah - self-governing state, holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak - self-governing state within Malaysia, holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government Capital: Kuala Lumpur Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan, singular - wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan* Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK) Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963 when Federation of Malaya became Federation of Malaysia 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 National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957) Executive branch: paramount ruler, deputy paramount ruler, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlimen) consists of an upper house or Senate (Dewan Negara) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Paramount Ruler AZLAN Muhibbuddin Shah ibni Sultan Yusof Izzudin (since 26 April 1989); Deputy Paramount Ruler JA'AFAR ibni Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister Abdul GHAFAR Bin Baba (since 7 May 1986) Political parties and leaders: Peninsular Malaysia: National Front, a confederation of 13 political parties dominated by United Malays National Organization Baru (UMNO Baru), MAHATHIR bin Mohamad; Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), LING Liong Sik; Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Datuk LIM Keng Yaik; Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Datuk S. Samy VELLU Sabah: Berjaya Party, Datuk Haji Mohammed NOOR Mansor; Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Joseph Pairin KITINGAN; United Sabah National Organizaton (USNO), leader NA :Malaysia Government:Malaysia Government Sarawak: coalition Sarawak National Front composed of the Party Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Amar Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud; Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar James WONG Soon Kai; Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Datuk Amar James WONG; Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo MOGGIE; major opposition parties are Democratic Action Party (DAP), LIM Kit Siang and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Fadzil NOOR Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: House of Representatives: last held 21 October 1990 (next to be held by August 1995); results - National Front 52%, other 48%; seats - (180 total) National Front 127, DAP 20, PAS 7, independents 4, other 22; note - within the National Front, UMNO got 71 seats and MCA 18 seats Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Abdul MAJID Mohamed; Chancery at 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-2700; there are Malaysian Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York US: Ambassador Paul M. CLEVELAND; Embassy at 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur (mailing address is P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur); telephone [60] (3) 248-9011; FAX [60] (3) 242-2207 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:Malaysia Economy Overview: During the period 1988-91 booming exports helped Malaysia continue to recover from the severe 1985-86 recession. Real output grew by 8.8% in 1989, 10% in 1990, and 8.6% in 1991, helped by vigorous growth in manufacturing output, further increases in foreign direct investment - particularly from Japanese and Taiwanese firms facing higher costs at home - and increased oil production. Malaysia has become the world's third-largest producer of semiconductor devices (after the US and Japan) and the world's largest exporter of semiconductor devices. Inflation has remained low; unemployment has stood at 6% of the labor force; and the government has followed prudent fiscal/monetary policies. The country is not self-sufficient in food, and some of the rural population subsist at the poverty level. Malaysia's high export dependence leaves it vulnerable to a recession in the OECD countries or a fall in world commodity prices. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $48.0 billion, per capita $2,670; real growth rate 8.6% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.8% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $12.2 billion; expenditures $14.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.2 billion (1991 est.) Exports: $35.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: electrical manufactures, crude petroleum, timber, rubber, palm oil, textiles partners: Singapore, US, Japan, EC Imports: $38.7 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: food, crude oil, consumer goods, intermediate goods, capital equipment, chemicals partners: Japan, US, Singapore, Germany, UK External debt: $21.3 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 18% (1990); accounts for 40% of GDP Electricity: 5,600,000 kW capacity; 16,500 million kWh produced, 940 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: Peninsular Malaysia: rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber Sabah: logging, petroleum production Sarawak: agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging Agriculture: Peninsular Malaysia: natural rubber, palm oil, rice Sabah: mainly subsistence, but also rubber, timber, coconut, rice :Malaysia Economy:Malaysia Economy Sarawak: rubber, timber, pepper; there is a deficit of rice in all areas; fish catch of 608,000 metric tons in 1987 Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe, and the Third World Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-84), $170 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.7 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $42 million Currency: ringgit (plural - ringgits); 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1 - 2.6930 (January 1992), 2.7501 (1991), 1.7048 (1990), 2.7088 (1989), 2.6188 (1988), 2.5196 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Malaysia Communications:Malaysia Communications Railroads: Peninsular Malaysia: 1,665 km 1.04-meter gauge; 13 km double track, government owned Railroads: Sabah: 136 km 1.000-meter gauge Highways: Peninsular Malaysia: 23,600 km (19,352 km hard surfaced, mostly bituminous-surface treatment, and 4,248 km unpaved) Sabah: 3,782 km Sarawak: 1,644 km Inland waterways: Peninsular Malaysia: 3,209 km Sabah: 1,569 km Sarawak: 2,518 km Pipelines: crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km Ports: Tanjong Kidurong, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Tawau Merchant marine: 167 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,653,633 GRT/2,444,393 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 1 short-sea passenger, 64 cargo, 27 container, 2 vehicle carrier, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 1 livestock carrier, 37 petroleum tanker, 5 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 21 bulk Civil air: 53 major transport aircraft Airports: 115 total, 108 usable; 33 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 18 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good intercity service provided to Peninsular Malaysia mainly by radio relay; adequate intercity radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; international service good; good coverage by radio and television broadcasts; 994,860 telephones (1984); broadcast stations - 28 AM, 3 FM, 33 TV; submarine cables extend to India and Sarawak; SEACOM submarine cable links to Hong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, and 2 domestic :Malaysia Defense Forces:Malaysia Defense Forces Branches: Royal Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border Scouts Manpower availability: males 15-49, 4,728,103; 2,878,574 fit for military service; 179,486 reach military age (21) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, about 5% of GDP (1992 budget) :Maldives Geography:Maldives Geography Total area: 300 km2 Land area: 300 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 644 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 35-310 nm (defined by geographic coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India) Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) 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% Environment: 1,200 coral islands grouped into 19 atolls Note: archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean :Maldives People:Maldives People Population: 234,371 (July 1992), growth rate 3.7% (1992) Birth rate: 45 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 61 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Maldivian(s); adjective - Maldivian Ethnic divisions: Maldivians are a generally homogenous admixture of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, Austrolasian, and African Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic); English spoken by most government officials Literacy: 92% (male 92%, female 92%) age 15 and over can read and write (1985) Labor force: 66,000 (est.); 25% engaged in fishing industry Organized labor: none :Maldives Government:Maldives Government Long-form name: Republic of Maldives Type: republic Capital: Male Administrative divisions: 19 district (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK) Constitution: 4 June 1964 Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council (Majlis) Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978) Political parties and leaders: no organized political parties; country governed by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President: last held 23 September 1988 (next to be held September 1994); results - President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected Citizens' Council: last held on 7 December 1989 (next to be held 7 December 1994); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (48 total, 40 elected) Member of: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Maldives does not maintain an embassy in the US, but does have a UN mission in New York US: the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there; US Consular Agency, Midhath Hilmy, Male; telephone 2581 Flag: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag :Maldives Economy:Maldives Economy Overview: The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping. Agriculture is limited to the production of a few subsistence crops that provide only 10% of food requirements. Fishing is the largest industry, employing 25% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports; it is also an important source of government revenue. During the 1980s tourism has become one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1988 industry accounted for about 5% of GDP. Real GDP is officially estimated to have increased by about 10% annually during the period 1974-90. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $174 million, per capita $770 (1988); real growth rate 10.1% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.7% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NEGL% Budget: revenues $67 million; expenditures $82 million, including capital expenditures of $45 million (1990 est.) Exports: $52.0 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: fish 57%, clothing 25% partners: US, UK, Sri Lanka Imports: $128.9 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: consumer goods 54%, intermediate and capital goods 33%, petroleum products 13% partners: Singapore, Germany, Sri Lanka, India External debt: $70 million (December 1989) Industrial production: growth rate -5.0% (1988); accounts for 6% of GDP Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 11 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts Agriculture: accounts for almost 30% of GDP (including fishing); fishing more important than farming; limited production of coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; most staple foods must be imported; fish catch of 67,000 tons (1990 est.) Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $125 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million Currency: rufiyaa (plural - rufiyaa); 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laaris Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 10.234 (January 1992), 10.253 (1991), 9.509 (1990), 9.0408 (1989), 8.7846 (1988), 9.2230 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Maldives Communications:Maldives Communications Highways: Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city Ports: Male, Gan Merchant marine: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 37,293 GRT/56,246 DWT; includes 11 cargo, 1 container, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 2 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: minimal domestic and international facilities; 2,804 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Maldives Defense Forces:Maldives Defense Forces Branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 52,195; 29,162 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.8 million, NA% of GDP (1984 est.) :Mali Geography:Mali Geography Total area: 1,240,000 km2 Land area: 1,220,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: 7,243 km; Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Ivory Coast 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium; bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited Land use: arable land 2%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 25%; forest and woodland 7%; other 66%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: hot, dust-laden harmattan; haze common during dry seasons; desertification Note: landlocked :Mali People:Mali People Population: 8,641,178 (July 1992), growth rate 2.5% (1992) Birth rate: 52 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 21 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 110 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 43 years male, 47 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Malian(s); adjective - Malian Ethnic divisions: Mande (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole) 50%, Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 5%, other 10% Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1% Languages: French (official); Bambara spoken by about 80% of the population; numerous African languages Literacy: 32% (male 41%, female 24%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,666,000 (1986 est.); agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce 1% (1981); 50% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: National Union of Malian Workers (UNTM) is umbrella organization for over 13 national unions :Mali Government:Mali Government Long-form name: Republic of Mali Type: republic; an interim government appointed by the national reform conference has organized a series of democratic elections and is scheduled to hand over power to an elected government on 26 March 1992 Capital: Bamako Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France; formerly French Sudan) Constitution: 2 June 1974, effective 19 June 1979; amended September 1981 and March 1985; new constitution presented during national reform conference in August 1991; a constitutional referendum is scheduled for 16 January 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Section of Court of State; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960) Executive branch: Transition Committee for the Salvation of the People (CTSP) composed of 25 members, predominantly civilian Legislative branch: Transition Committee for the Salvation of the People (CTSP) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: Lt. Col. Amadou Toumani TOURE Head of Government: Prime Minister Soumana SAKO (since 2 April 1991) Political parties and leaders: formerly the only party, the Democratic Union of Malian People (UDPM), was disbanded after the coup of 26 March 1991, and the new regime legalized the formation of political parties on 5 April 1991; new political parties are Union of Democratic Forces (UFD), Demba DIALLO; Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), Moussa Bala COULIBALY; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally (US-RDA), Mamadou Madeira KEITA; African Party for Solidarity and Justice (ADEMA), Alpha Oumar KONARE; Party for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa TRAORE; Democratic Party for Justice (PDJ), Abdul BA; Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Almany SYLLA; Party for the Unity of Malian People (PUPM), Nock AGATTIA; Hisboulah al Islamiya, Hamidou DRAMERA; Union of Progressive Forces (UFP), Yacouba SIDIBE; National Congress of Democratic Initiative (CNID), Mountaga TALL; Assembly for Justice and Progress, Kady DRAME; Sudanese Progressive Party (PPS), Sekene Mody SISSOKO; numerous small parties formed in 1991; 46 total parties Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President: last held on 9 June 1985 (next to be held March 1992); results - Gen. Moussa TRAORE was reelected without opposition :Mali Government:Mali Government National Assembly: last held on 26 June 1988 (next to be held NA 1992); results - UDPM was the only party; seats - (82 total) UDPM 82; note - following the military coup of 26 March 1991, President TRAORE was deposed and the UDPM was disbanded; the 25-member CTSP has instituted a multiparty system, and presidential elections are to be held on 26 March 1992 and legislative elections on 9 February 1992 (new National Assembly to have 116 seats) Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Mohamed Alhousseyni TOURE; Chancery at 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-2249 or 939-8950 US: Ambassador Herbert D. GELBER; Embassy at Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V., Bamako (mailing address is B. P. 34, Bamako); telephone [223] 225470; FAX [233] 22-80-59 Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia :Mali Economy:Mali Economy Overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with about 70% 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 live as nomads and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.2 billion, per capita $265; real growth rate 2.2% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.6% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $329 million; expenditures $519 million, including capital expenditures of $178 (1989 est.) Exports: $285 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: livestock, peanuts, dried fish, cotton, skins partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe Imports: $513 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: textiles, vehicles, petroleum products, machinery, sugar, cereals partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe External debt: $2.2 billion (1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 19.9% (1989 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP Electricity: 260,000 kW capacity; 750 million kWh produced, 90 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: small local consumer goods and processing, construction, phosphate, gold, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; most production based on small subsistence farms; cotton and livestock products account for over 70% of exports; other crops - millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; livestock - cattle, sheep, and goats Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $349 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3,020 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $190 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Mali Communications:Mali Communications Railroads: 642 km 1.000-meter gauge; linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes Highways: about 15,700 km total; 1,670 km paved, 3,670 km gravel and improved earth, 10,360 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 1,815 km navigable Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 35 total, 27 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service with radio relay, wire, and radio communications stations; expansion of radio relay in progress; 11,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT :Mali Defense Forces:Mali Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police, Surete Nationale Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,701,050; 966,293 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $41 million, 2% of GDP (1989) :Malta Geography:Malta Geography Total area: 320 km2 Land area: 320 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 140 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none 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%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: numerous bays provide good harbors; fresh water very scarce - increasing reliance on desalination Note: strategic location in central Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily, 290 km north of Libya :Malta People:Malta People Population: 359,231 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Maltese (singular and plural); adjective - Maltese Ethnic divisions: mixture of Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: Maltese and English (official) Literacy: 84% (male 86%, female 82%) age 15 and over can read and write (1985) Labor force: 127,200; government (excluding job corps) 37%, services 26%, manufacturing 22%, training programs 9%, construction 4%, agriculture 2% (1990) Organized labor: about 40% of labor force :Malta Government:Malta Government Long-form name: Republic of Malta Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Valletta Administrative divisions: none (administration directly from Valletta) Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK) Constitution: 26 April 1974, effective 2 June 1974 Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives Judicial branch: Constitutional Court and Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: President Vincent (Censu) TABONE (since 4 April 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI (since 12 May 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Guido DE MARCO (since 14 May 1987) Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party (NP), Edward FENECH ADAMI; Malta Labor Party (MLP), Alfred SANT Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives: last held on 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) Member of: C, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Albert BORG OLIVIER DE PUGET; Chancery at 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 462-3611 or 3612; there is a Maltese Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Sally J. NOVETZKE; Embassy at 2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta (mailing address is P. O. Box 535, Valletta); telephone [356] 240424, 240425, 243216, 243217, 243653, 223654; FAX same as phone numbers Flag: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red :Malta Economy: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 27% of GDP, with the electronics and textile industries major contributors. In 1990 inflation was held to a low 3.0%. Per capita GDP at $7,000 places Malta in the middle-income range of the world's nations. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion, per capita $7,000 (1991 est.); real growth rate 5.5% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.0% (1990) Unemployment rate: 3.8% (1990) Budget: revenues $1.3 billion; expenditures $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $380 million (1992 plan) Exports: $l.1 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: clothing, textiles, footwear, ships partners: Italy 30%, Germany 22%, UK 11% Imports: $2.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: food, petroleum, machinery and semimanufactured goods partners: Italy 30%, UK 16%, Germany 13%, US 4% External debt: $90 million, medium and long term (December 1987) Industrial production: growth rate 19.0% (1990); accounts for 27% of GDP Electricity: 328,000 kW capacity; 1,110 million kWh produced, 2,990 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, electronics, ship repair yard, construction, food manufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco Agriculture: accounts for 3% of GDP; 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 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $172 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $336 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $76 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $48 million Currency: Maltese lira (plural - liri); 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Maltese liri (LM) per US$1 - 0.3257 (March 1992), 0.3004 (1991), 0.3172 (1990), 0.3483 (1989), 0.3306 (1988), 0.3451 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Malta Communications:Malta Communications Highways: 1,291 km total; 1,179 km paved (asphalt), 77 km crushed stone or gravel, 35 km improved and unimproved earth Ports: Valletta, Marsaxlokk Merchant marine: 658 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,003,001 GRT/15,332,287 DWT; includes 3 passenger, 13 short-sea passenger, 241 cargo, 14 container, 2 passenger-cargo, 16 roll-on/roll-off, 2 vehicle carrier, 1 barge carrier, 15 refrigerated cargo, 11 chemical tanker, 12 combination ore/oil, 2 specialized tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 124 petroleum tanker, 176 bulk, 23 combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry; China owns 2 ships, former republics of the USSR own 52 ships, Cuba owns 10, Vietnam owns 6, Yugoslavia owns 9, Romania owns 4 Civil air: 7 major transport aircraft Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: automatic system satisfies normal requirements; 153,000 telephones; excellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV; submarine cable and radio relay between islands; international service by 1 submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Malta Defense Forces:Malta Defense Forces Branches: Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 95,661; 76,267 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $21.9 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989 est.) :Man, Isle of Geography:Man, Isle of Geography Total area: 588 km2 Land area: 588 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 113 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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 Environment: strong westerly winds prevail Note: located in Irish Sea equidistant from England, Scotland, and Ireland :Man, Isle of People:Man, Isle of People Population: 64,068 (July 1992), growth rate 0.1% (1992) Birth rate: 11 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Manxman, Manxwoman; adjective - Manx Ethnic divisions: native Manx of Norse-Celtic descent; British Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends Languages: English, Manx Gaelic Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education ages 5 to 16 Labor force: 25,864 (1981) Organized labor: 22 labor unions patterned along British lines :Man, Isle of Government:Man, Isle of Government Long-form name: none Type: British crown dependency Capital: Douglas Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency) Independence: none (British crown dependency) Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act Legal system: English law and local statute National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July Executive branch: British monarch, lieutenant governor, prime minister, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Tynwald consists of an upper house or Legislative Council and a lower house or House of Keys Judicial branch: High Court of Justice Leaders: Chief of State: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Air Marshal Sir Laurence JONES (since NA 1990) Head of Government: President of the Legislative Council Sir Charles KERRUISH (since NA 1990) Political parties and leaders: there is no party system and members sit as independents Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: House of Keys: last held in 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - percent of vote NA; no party system; seats - (24 total) independents 24 Member of: none 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 ria), 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: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 GNP. Banking now contributes over 20% to GNP and manufacturing about 15%. Trade is mostly with the UK. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $490 million, per capita $7,573; real growth rate NA% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 1.5% (1988) Budget: revenues $130.4 million; expenditures $114.4 million, including capital expenditures of $18.1 million (FY85 est.) Exports: $NA commodities: tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, meat partners: UK Imports: $NA commodities: timber, fertilizers, fish partners: UK External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 61,000 kW capacity; 190 million kWh produced, 2,930 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: an important offshore financial center; financial services, light manufacturing, tourism Agriculture: cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Economic aid: NA Currency: Manx pound (plural - pounds); 1 Manx pound (#M) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Manx pounds (#M) per US$1 - 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0. 6102 (1987); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Man, Isle of Communications:Man, Isle of Communications Railroads: 36 km electric track, 24 km steam track Highways: 640 km motorable roads Ports: Douglas, Ramsey, Peel Merchant marine: 79 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,436,196 GRT/2,479,432 DWT; includes 12 cargo, 7 container, 10 roll-on/roll-off, 30 petroleum tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 5 liquefied gas, 11 bulk; note - a captive register of the United Kingdom, although not all ships on the register are British owned Airports: 1 total; 1 usable with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 24,435 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV :Man, Isle of Defense Forces:Man, Isle of Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Marshall Islands Geography:Marshall Islands Geography Total area: 181.3 km2 Land area: 181.3 km2; includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetok, and Kwajalein Comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 370.4 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: occasionally subject to typhoons; two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands Note: located 3,825 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea; Bikini and Eniwetok are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range :Marshall Islands People:Marshall Islands People Population: 50,004 (July 1992), growth rate 3.9% (1992) Birth rate: 47 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 52 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 61 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Marshallese (singular and plural); adjective - Marshallese Ethnic divisions: almost entirely Micronesian Religions: predominantly Christian, mostly Protestant Languages: English universally spoken and is the official language; two major Marshallese dialects from Malayo-Polynesian family; Japanese Literacy: 93% (male 100%, female 88%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 4,800 (1986) Organized labor: none :Marshall Islands Government:Marshall Islands Government Long-form name: Republic of the Marshall Islands Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 Capital: Majuro Administrative divisions: none Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship; formerly the Marshall Islands District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Constitution: 1 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Nitijela (parliament) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Amata KABUA (since 1979) Political parties and leaders: no formal parties; President KABUA is chief political (and traditional) leader Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 6 January 1992 (next to be held NA; results - President Amata KABUA was reelected Parliament: last held 18 November 1991 (next to be held November 1995); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (33 total) Member of: AsDB, ESCAP (associate), ICAO, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Wilfred I. KENDALL; Chancery at 2433 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-5414 US: Ambassador William BODDE, Jr.; Embassy at NA address (mailing address is P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379); telephone (011) 692-4011; FAX (011) 692-4012 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: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. In 1987 the US Government provided grants of $40 million out of the Marshallese budget of $55 million. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $63 million, per capita $1,500; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $55 million; expenditures NA, including capital expenditures of NA (1987 est.) Exports: $2.5 million (f.o.b., 1985) commodities: copra, copra oil, agricultural products, handicrafts partners: NA Imports: $29.2 million (c.i.f., 1985) commodities: foodstuffs, beverages, building materials partners: NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 42,000 kW capacity; 80 million kWh produced, 1,840 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls; offshore banking (embryonic) Agriculture: coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, copra; pigs, chickens Economic aid: under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to provide approximately $40 million in aid annually Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September :Marshall Islands Communications:Marshall Islands Communications Highways: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks Ports: Majuro Merchant marine: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,347,312 GRT/4,630,172 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 container, 9 petroleum tanker, 18 bulk carrier, 2 combination ore/oil; note - a flag of convenience registry Airports: 17 total, 16 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; 8 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: telephone network - 570 lines (Majuro) and 186 (Ebeye); telex services; islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes); broadcast stations - 1 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein :Marshall Islands Defense Forces:Marshall Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Martinique Geography:Martinique Geography Total area: 1,100 km2 Land area: 1,060 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 290 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October) 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%; includes irrigated 5% Environment: subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that result in an average of one major natural disaster every five years Note: located 625 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea :Martinique People:Martinique People Population: 371,803 (July 1992), growth rate 1.4% (1992) Birth rate: 19 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 11 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Martiniquais (singular and plural); adjective - Martiniquais Ethnic divisions: African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture 90%, Caucasian 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5% Languages: French, Creole patois Literacy: 93% (male 92%, female 93%) age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: 100,000; service industry 31.7%, construction and public works 29.4%, agriculture 13.1%, industry 7.3%, fisheries 2.2%, other 16.3% Organized labor: 11% of labor force :Martinique Government:Martinique Government Long-form name: Department of Martinique Type: overseas department of France Capital: Fort-de-France Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: government commissioner Legislative branch: unicameral General Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Government Commissioner Jean Claude ROURE (since 5 May 1989); President of the General Council Emile MAURICE (since NA 1988) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: General Council: last held in October 1988 (next to be held by March 1991); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (44 total) number of seats by party NA Regional Assembly: last held on 16 March 1986 (next to be held by March 1992); results - UDF/RPR coalition 49.8%, PPM/FSM/PCM coalition 41.3%, other 8.9%; seats - (41 total) PPM/FSM/PCM coalition 21, UDF/RPR coalition 20 French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) UDF 1, PPM 1 French National Assembly: last held on 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (4 total) PPM 1, FSM 1, RPR 1, UDF 1 Communists: 1,000 (est.) Other political or pressure groups: Proletarian Action Group (GAP); Alhed Marie-Jeanne Socialist Revolution Group (GRS); Martinique Independence Movement (MIM); Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance (ARC); Central Union for Martinique Workers (CSTM), Marc Pulvar; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants Member of: FZ, WCL Diplomatic representation: as an overseas department of France, Martiniquais interests are represented in the US by France :Martinique Government:Martinique Government US: Consul General Raymond G. ROBINSON; Consulate General at 14 Rue Blenac, Fort-de-France (mailing address is B. P. 561, Fort-de-France 97206); telephone [596] 63-13-03 Flag: the flag of France is used :Martinique Economy:Martinique Economy Overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 12% 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. In 1986 per capita GDP was relatively high at $6,000. During 1986 the unemployment rate was 30% and was particularly severe among younger workers. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.0 billion, per capita $6,000; real growth rate NA% (1986) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1989) Unemployment rate: 30% (1986) Budget: revenues $268 million; expenditures $268 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.) Exports: $196 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples partners: France 65%, Guadeloupe 24%, Germany (1987) Imports: $1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods partners: France 65%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US (1987) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 113,100 kW capacity; 588 million kWh produced, 1,703 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism Agriculture: including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 12% of GDP; principal crops - pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, and sugarcane for rum; dependent on imported food, particularly meat and vegetables Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.1 billion Currency: French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.3801 (January 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Martinique Communications:Martinique Communications Highways: 1,680 km total; 1,300 km paved, 380 km gravel and earth Ports: Fort-de-France Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runway 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways less than 2,439 m Telecommunications: domestic facilities are adequate; 68,900 telephones; interisland radio relay links to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Martinique Defense Forces:Martinique Defense Forces Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 95,235; NA fit for military service Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Mauritania Geography:Mauritania Geography Total area: 1,030,700 km2 Land area: 1,030,400 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: 5,074 km; Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km Coastline: 754 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: boundary with Senegal 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 NEGL%; meadows and pastures 38%; forest and woodland 5%; other 56%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; desertification; only perennial river is the Senegal :Mauritania People:Mauritania People Population: 2,059,187 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992) Birth rate: 48 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 17 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 89 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 44 years male, 50 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Mauritanian(s); adjective - Mauritanian Ethnic divisions: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% Religions: Muslim, nearly 100% Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official); Hasaniya Arabic, Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official) Literacy: 34% (male 47%, female 21%) age 10 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980); agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10%; 53% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: 30,000 members claimed by single union, Mauritanian Workers' Union :Mauritania Government:Mauritania Government Long-form name: Islamic Republic of Mauritania Type: republic; military first seized power in bloodless coup 10 July 1978; a palace coup that took place on 12 December 1984 brought President Taya to power; he was elected in 1992 Capital: Nouakchott Administrative divisions: 12 regions(regions, singular - region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza; note - there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France) Constitution: currently 12 July 1991; 20 May 1961 Constitution abrogated after coup of 10 July 1978; provisional constitution published 17 December 1980 but abandoned in 1981; constitutional charter published 27 February 1985 after Taya came to power; latest constitution approved after general referendum 12 July 1991 Legal system: based on Islamic law National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960) Executive branch: president Legislative branch: National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) and Senate Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid`Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984) Political parties and leaders: legalized by constitution passed 12 July 1991; emerging parties include Democratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid`Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), coalition of seven opposition factions, three leaders: Mohameden Ould BABAH, Diop Mamadou AMADOU, and Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR; Assembly for Democracy (RDU), Mohamed Ould SIDI BABA; Rally for Democracy and Unity (RDUN), Mohamed Ould Sidi BABA; Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH; Progressive Popular Alliance (APP), Taleb Ould Jiddou Ould Mohamed LAGHDAF; Mauritanian Party for Renewal (PMR), Moulaye El Hassan Ould JEYID; National Avant-Garde Party (PAN or PAGN), Khattry Ould Taleb JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI BADI; Union for Planning and Construction (UPC), Mohamed Ould EYAHA; Democratic Justice Party (PJD), Mohamed Abdallahi Ould EL BANE; Party for Liberty, Equality, and Justice (PLEJ), Ba Mamadou ALASSANE; Labor and National Unity Party (PTUN), Ali Bouna Ould OUENINA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held January 1992 (next to be held NA) results: President Col. Maabuya Ould Sid`Ahmed TAYA elected Senate: last held 3 and 10 April 1992 (next to be held April 1998) :Mauritania Government:Mauritania Government National Assembly: last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held NA 1997) Member of: ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Mohamed Fall OULD AININA; Chancery at 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-5700 US: Ambassador Gordon S. BROWN; Embassy at address NA, Nouakchott (mailing address is B. P. 222, Nouakchott); telephone [222] (2) 526-60 or 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: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, the droughts, the endemic conflict with Senegal, rising energy costs, 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. But the reform process suffered a major setback following the Gulf war of early 1991. Because of Mauritania's support of Saddam Husayn, bilateral aid from its two top donors, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, was suspended, and multilateral aid was reduced. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, per capita $535; real growth rate 3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $280 million; expenditures $346 million, including capital expenditures of $61 million (1989 est.) Exports: $436 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: iron ore, processed fish, small amounts of gum arabic and gypsum; unrecorded but numerically significant cattle exports to Senegal partners: EC 43%, Japan 27%, USSR 11%, Ivory Coast 3% Imports: $389 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods partners: EC 60%, Algeria 15%, China 6%, US 3% External debt: $1.9 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 4.4% (1988 est.); accounts for almost 20% of GDP Electricity: 190,000 kW capacity; 135 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: fishing, fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum Agriculture: accounts for 29% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence farming and nomadic cattle and sheep herding except in Senegal river valley; crops - dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; fish products number-one export; large food deficit in years of drought Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $168 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.3 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $490 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $277 million; Arab Development Bank (1991), $20 million :Mauritania Economy:Mauritania Economy Currency: ouguiya (plural - ouguiya); 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums Exchange rates: ouguiya (UM) per US$1 - 79.300 (January 1992), 81.946 (1991), 80.609 (1990), 83.051 (1989), 75.261 (1988), 73.878 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Mauritania Communications:Mauritania Communications Railroads: 690 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge, single track, owned and operated by government mining company Highways: 7,525 km total; 1,685 km paved; 1,040 km gravel, crushed stone, or otherwise improved; 4,800 km unimproved roads, trails, tracks Inland waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River Ports: Nouadhibou, Nouakchott Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,290 GRT/1,840 DWT Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 28 total, 28 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 16 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor radio relay links, and radio communications stations (improvements being made); broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 ARABSAT, with six planned :Mauritania Defense Forces:Mauritania Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 436,897; 213,307 fit for military service; conscription law not implemented Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $40 million, 4.2% of GDP (1989) :Mauritius Geography:Mauritius Geography Total area: 1,860 km2 Land area: 1,850 km2; includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues Comparative area: slightly less than 10.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 177 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims UK-administered Chagos Archipelago, which includes the island of Diego Garcia in UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claims French-administered Tromelin Island Climate: tropical modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: arable land 54%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest and woodland 31%; other 7%; includes irrigated 9% Environment: subject to cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs Note: located 900 km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean :Mauritius People:Mauritius People Population: 1,092,130 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 19 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 73 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Mauritian(s); adjective - Mauritian Ethnic divisions: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2% Religions: Hindu 52%, Christian (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%) 28.3%, Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1% Languages: English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori Literacy: 82.8 % (male 88.7%, female 77.1%) age 13 and over can read and write (1985 UNESCO estimate) Labor force: 335,000; government services 29%, agriculture and fishing 27%, manufacturing 22%, other 22%; 43% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: 35% of labor force in more than 270 unions :Mauritius Government:Mauritius Government Long-form name: none Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Port Louis Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK) Constitution: 12 March 1968 Legal system: based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas National holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Veerasamy RINGADOO (since 17 January 1986) Head of Government: Prime Minister Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 12 June 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Prem NABABSING (since 26 September 1990) Political parties and leaders: government coalition: Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), A. JUGNAUTH; Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), Paul BERENGER; Organization of the People of Rodrigues (OPR), Louis Serge CLAIR; Democratic Labor Movement (MTD), Anil BAICHOO opposition: Mauritian Labor Party (MLP), Navin RAMGOOLMAN; Socialist Workers Front, Sylvio MICHEL; Mauritian Social Democratic Party (PMSD), G. DUVAL Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held on 15 September 1991 (next to be held by 15 September 1996); results - MSM/MMM 53%, MLP/PMSD 38%; seats - (70 total, 62 elected) MSM/MMM alliance 59 (MSM 29, MMM 26, OPR 2, MTD 2); MLP/PMSD 3 Communists: may be 2,000 sympathizers Other political or pressure groups: various labor unions Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Chitmansing JESSERAMSING; Chancery at Suite 134, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-1491 or 1492 :Mauritius Government:Mauritius Government US: Ambassador Penne Percy KORTH; Embassy at 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis; telephone [230] 208-9763 through 208-9767; FAX [230] 208-9534 Flag: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green :Mauritius Economy:Mauritius Economy Overview: The economy is based on sugar, manufacturing (mainly textiles), and tourism. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 40% of export earnings. The government's development strategy is centered on industrialization (with a view to exports), agricultural diversification, and tourism. Economic performance in FY91 was impressive, with 6% real growth and low unemployment. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion, per capita $2,300; real growth rate 6.1% (FY91 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13.2% (FY91 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.4% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $557 million; expenditures $607 million, including capital expenditures of $111 million (FY90) Exports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: textiles 44%, sugar 40%, light manufactures 10% partners: EC and US have preferential treatment, EC 77%, US 15% Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: manufactured goods 50%, capital equipment 17%, foodstuffs 13%, petroleum products 8%, chemicals 7% partners: EC, US, South Africa, Japan External debt: $869 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 12.9% (FY87); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity: 235,000 kW capacity; 425 million kWh produced, 395 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, wearing apparel, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP; about 90% of cultivated land in sugarcane; other products - tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses, cattle, goats, fish; net food importer, especially rice and fish Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $76 million; Western (non-US) countries (1970-89), $709 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $54 million Currency: Mauritian rupee (plural - rupees); 1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1 - 15.198 (January 1992), 15.652 (1991), 14.839 (1990), 15.250 (1989), 13.438 (1988), 12.878 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Mauritius Communications:Mauritius Communications Highways: 1,800 km total; 1,640 km paved, 160 km earth Ports: Port Louis Merchant marine: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 94,710 GRT/150,345 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 3 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 1 liquefied gas, 3 bulk Civil air: 7 major transport aircraft Airports: 5 total, 4 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: small system with good service utilizing primarily radio relay; new microwave link to Reunion; high-frequency radio links to several countries; over 48,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 4 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Mauritius Defense Forces:Mauritius Defense Forces Branches: paramilitary Special Mobile Force, Special Support Unit, National Police Force, National Coast Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 307,237; 157,246 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5 million, 0.2% of GDP (FY89) :Mayotte Geography:Mayotte Geography Total area: 375 km2 Land area: 375 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 185.2 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claimed by Comoros Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Terrain: generally undulating with ancient volcanic peaks, deep ravines Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest and woodland NA%; other NA% Environment: subject to cyclones during rainy season Note: part of Comoro Archipelago; located in the Mozambique Channel about halfway between Africa and Madagascar :Mayotte People:Mayotte People Population: 86,628 (July 1992), growth rate 3.8% (1992) Birth rate: 50 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 84 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 55 years male, 59 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Mahorais (singular and plural); adjective - Mahoran Religions: Muslim 99%; remainder Christian, mostly Roman Catholic Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA :Mayotte Government:Mayotte Government Long-form name: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte Type: territorial collectivity of France Capital: Mamoutzou Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France) Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: government commissioner Legislative branch: unicameral General Council (Conseil General) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel) Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Commissioner, Representative of the French Government Jean-Paul COSTE (since NA 1991); President of the General Council Youssouf BAMANA (since NA 1976) Political parties and leaders: Mahoran Popular Movement (MPM), Younoussa BAMANA; Party for the Mahoran Democratic Rally (PRDM), Daroueche MAOULIDA; Mahoran Rally for the Republic (RMPR), Mansour KAMARDINE; Union of the Center (UDC) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: General Council: last held June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17 total) MPM 9, RPR 6, other 2 French Senate: last held on 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MPM 1 French National Assembly: last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) UDC 1 Member of: FZ Diplomatic representation: as a territorial collectivity of France, Mahoran interests are represented in the US by France Flag: the flag of France is used :Mayotte Economy: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 is heavily dependent on French financial assistance. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $37.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1985) Exports: $4.0 million (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: ylang-ylang, vanilla partners: France 79%, Comoros 10%, Reunion 9% Imports: $21.8 million (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: building materials, transportation equipment, rice, clothing, flour partners: France 57%, Kenya 16%, South Africa 11%, Pakistan 8% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: NA kW capacity; NA million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry Agriculture: most important sector; provides all export earnings; crops - vanilla, ylang-ylang, coffee, copra; imports major share of food needs Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $402 million Currency: French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.3801 (January 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Mayotte Communications:Mayotte Communications Highways: 42 km total; 18 km bituminous Ports: Dzaoudzi Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications; includes radio relay and high-frequency radio communications for links to Comoros and international communications; 450 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV :Mayotte Defense Forces:Mayotte Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Mexico Geography:Mexico Geography Total area: 1,972,550 km2 Land area: 1,923,040 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: 4,538 km; Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,326 km Coastline: 9,330 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: natural prolongation of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims Clipperton Island (French possession) Climate: varies from tropical to desert Terrain: high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus, and desert Natural resources: crude oil, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land 12%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 39%; forest and woodland 24%; other 24%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: subject to tsunamis along the Pacific coast and destructive earthquakes in the center and south; natural water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; deforestation; erosion widespread; desertification; serious air pollution in Mexico City and urban centers along US-Mexico border Note: strategic location on southern border of US :Mexico People:Mexico People Population: 92,380,721 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 30 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Mexican(s); adjective - Mexican Ethnic divisions: mestizo (Indian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, Caucasian or predominantly Caucasian 9%, other 1% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6% Languages: Spanish; various Mayan dialects Literacy: 87% (male 90%, female 85%) age 15 and over can read and write (1985 est.) Labor force: 26,100,000 (1988); services 31.4%, agriculture, forestry, hunting, and fishing 26%, commerce 13.9%, manufacturing 12.8%, construction 9.5%, transportation 4.8%, mining and quarrying 1.3%, electricity 0.3% (1986) Organized labor: 35% of labor force :Mexico Government:Mexico Government Long-form name: United Mexican States Type: federal republic operating under a centralized government Capital: Mexico Administrative divisions: 31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan, Zacatecas Independence: 16 September 1810 (from Spain) 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1810) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la Union) consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Camara de Senadores) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Carlos SALINAS de Gortari (since 1 December 1988) Political parties and leaders: (recognized parties) Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Genaro BORREGO Estrada; National Action Party (PAN), Luis ALVAREZ; Popular Socialist Party (PPS), Indalecio SAYAGO Herrera; Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano; Cardenist Front for the National Reconstruction Party (PFCRN), Rafael AGUILAR Talamantes; Authentic Party of the Mexican Revolution (PARM), Carlos Enrique CANTU Rosas Suffrage: universal and compulsory (but not enforced) at age 18 Elections: President: last held on 6 July 1988 (next to be held September 1994); results - Carlos SALINAS de Gortari (PRI) 50.74%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano (FDN) 31.06%, Manuel CLOUTHIER (PAN) 16.81%; other 1.39%; note - several of the smaller parties ran a common candidate under a coalition called the National Democratic Front (FDN) Senate: last held on 18 August 1988 (next to be held midyear 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats in full Senate - (64 total) number of seats by party; PRI 61, PRD 2, PAN 1 Chamber of Deputies: last held on 18 August 1991 (next to be held midyear 1994); results - PRI 53%, PAN 20%, PFCRN 10%, PPS 6%, PARM 7%, PMS (now part of PRD) 4%; seats - (500 total) PRI 320, PAN 89, PRD 41, PFCRN 23, PARM 15, PPS 12 :Mexico Government:Mexico Government Other political or pressure groups: Roman Catholic Church, Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM), Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN), Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce (CONCANACO), National Peasant Confederation (CNC), UNE (no expansion), Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT), Mexican Democratic Party (PDM), Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CROC), Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers (CROM), Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic (COPARMEX), National Chamber of Transformation Industries (CANACINTRA), Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations (COECE) Member of: AG (observer), CARICOM (observer) CCC, CDB, CG, EBRD, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-6, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Gustavo PETRICIOLI Iturbide; Chancery at 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006; telephone (202) 728-1600; there are Mexican Consulates General in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Antonio, San Diego, and Consulates in Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico (California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Douglas (Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Kansas City (Missouri), Laredo, McAllen (Texas), Miami, Nogales (Arizona), Oxnard (California), Philadelphia, Phoenix, Presidio (Texas), Sacramento, St. Louis, St. Paul (Minneapolis), Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, San Jose, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Seattle US: Ambassador John D. NEGROPONTE, Jr.; Embassy at Paseo de la Reforma 305, 06500 Mexico, D.F. (mailing address is P. O. Box 3087, Laredo, TX 78044-3087); telephone [52] (5) 211-0042; FAX [52] (5) 511-9980, 208-3373; there are US Consulates General in Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Tijuana, and Consulates in Hermosillo, Matamoros, Mazatlan, Merida, and Nuevo Laredo Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak) is centered in the white band :Mexico Economy:Mexico Economy Overview: Mexico's economy is a mixture of state-owned industrial plants (notably oil), private manufacturing and services, and both large-scale and traditional agriculture. In the 1980s, Mexico experienced severe economic difficulties: the nation accumulated large external debts as world petroleum prices fell; rapid population growth outstripped the domestic food supply; and inflation, unemployment, and pressures to emigrate became more acute. Growth in national output, however, is recovering, rising from 1.4% in 1988 to 4% in 1990 and again in 1991. The US is Mexico's major trading partner, accounting for two-thirds of its exports and imports. After petroleum, border assembly plants and tourism are the largest earners of foreign exchange. The government, in consultation with international economic agencies, is implementing programs to stabilize the economy and foster growth. In 1991 the government began negotiations with the US and Canada on a free trade agreement. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $289 billion, per capita $3,200; real growth rate 4% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18.8% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 14-17% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $41.0 billion; expenditures $47.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.3 billion (1990) Exports: $27.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: crude oil, oil products, coffee, shrimp, engines, motor vehicles, cotton, consumer electronics partners: US 68%, EC 14%, Japan 6% (1990 est.) Imports: $36.7 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: grain, metal manufactures, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment partners: US 69%, EC 13%, Japan 6% (1990) External debt: $98.4 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 5.5% (1991 est.); accounts for 28% of GDP Electricity: 26,150,000 kW capacity; 114,277 million kWh produced, 1,270 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, transportation equipment, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 9% of GDP and over 25% of work force; large number of small farms at subsistence level; major food crops - corn, wheat, rice, beans; cash crops - cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes; fish catch of 1.4 million metric tons among top 20 nations (1987) Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis continues in spite of active government eradication program; major supplier to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America :Mexico Economy:Mexico Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.7 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $110 million Currency: Mexican peso (plural - pesos); 1 Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1 - 3,068.5 (January 1992), 3,018.4 (1991) 2,940.9 (January 1991), 2,812.6 (1990), 2,461.3 (1989), 2,273.1 (1988), 1,378.2 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Mexico Communications:Mexico Communications Railroads: 24,500 km total; breakdown NA Highways: 212,000 km total; 65,000 km paved, 30,000 km semipaved or cobblestone, 62,000 km rural roads (improved earth) or roads under construction, 55,000 km unimproved earth roads Inland waterways: 2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canals Pipelines: crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas 13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 km Ports: Acapulco, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso, Puerto Vallarta, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Veracruz Merchant marine: 58 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 875,239 GRT/1,301,355 DWT; includes 4 short-sea passenger, 3 cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 30 petroleum tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 7 liquefied gas, 1 bulk, 1 combination bulk, 4 container Civil air: 186 major transport aircraft Airports: 1,815 total, 1,505 usable; 200 with permanent-surface runways; 3 with runways over 3,659 m; 33 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 284 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: highly developed system with extensive radio relay links; privatized in December 1990; connected into Central America Microwave System; 6,410,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 679 AM, no FM, 238 TV, 22 shortwave; 120 domestic satellite terminals; earth stations - 4 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT :Mexico Defense Forces:Mexico Defense Forces Branches: National Defense (including Army and Air Force), Navy (including Marines) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 23,023,871; 16,852,513 fit for military service; 1,138,455 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.6 billion, less than 1% of GDP (1982 budget) :Micronesia, Federated States of Geography:Micronesia, Federated States of Geography Total area: 702 km2 Land area: 702 km2; includes Pohnpei, Truk, Yap, and Kosrae Comparative area: slightly less than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 6,112 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: subject to typhoons from June to December; four major island groups totaling 607 islands Note: located 5,150 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and Indonesia :Micronesia, Federated States of People:Micronesia, Federated States of People Population: 114,694 (July 1992), growth rate 3.4% (1992) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 12 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 39 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 69 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Micronesian(s); adjective - Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese (singular and plural), Yapese (singular and plural) Ethnic divisions: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups Religions: predominantly Christian, divided between Roman Catholic and Protestant; other churches include Assembly of God, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist, Latter-Day Saints, and the Baha'i Faith Languages: English is the official and common language; most indigenous languages fall within the Austronesian language family, the exceptions are the Polynesian languages; major indigenous languages are Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, and Kosrean Literacy: 90% (male 90%, female 85%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: NA; two-thirds are government employees; 45,000 people are between the ages of 15 and 65 Organized labor: NA :Micronesia, Federated States of Government:Micronesia, Federated States of Government Long-form name: Federated States of Micronesia (no short-form name) Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 Capital: Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei); note - a new capital is being built about 10 km southwest in the Palikir valley Administrative divisions: 4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship; formerly the Kosrae, Pohnpei, Truk, and Yap districts of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Constitution: 10 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws National holiday: Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia, 10 May (1979) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Congress Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Bailey OLTER (since 21 May 1991); Vice President Jacob NENA (since 21 May 1991) Political parties and leaders: no formal parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held ll May 1991 (next to be held March 1995); results - President Bailey OLTER elected president; Vice-President Jacob NENA Congress: last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held March 1993); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (14 total) Member of: ESCAP (associate), ICAO, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jesse B. MAREHALAU; Embassy at 1725 N St., NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 223-4383 US: Ambassador Aurelia BRAZEAL; Embassy at address NA, Kolonia (mailing address is P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941); telephone 691-320-2187; FAX 691-320-2186 Flag: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern :Micronesia, Federated States of Economy: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 l990s. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $150 million, per capita $1,500; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.); note - GNP numbers reflect US spending Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA Budget: revenues $165 million; expenditures $115 million, including capital expenditures of $20 million (1988) Exports: $2.3 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: copra partners: NA Imports: $67.7 million (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: NA partners: NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 18,000 kW capacity; 40 million kWh produced, 380 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls Agriculture: mainly a subsistence economy; copra, black pepper; tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava, sweet potatoes, pigs, chickens Economic aid: under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US will provide $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001 Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September :Micronesia, Federated States of Communications:Micronesia, Federated States of Communications Highways: 39 km of paved roads on major islands; also 187 km stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads Ports: Colonia (Yap), Truk (Kosrae), Okat (Kosrae) Airports: 6 total, 5 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 Telecommunications: telephone network - 960 telephone lines total at Kolonia and Truk; islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes); 16,000 radio receivers, 1,125 TV sets (est. 1987); broadcast stations - 5 AM, 1 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Micronesia, Federated States of Defense Forces:Micronesia, Federated States of Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Midway Islands Geography:Midway Islands Geography Total area: 5.2 km2 Land area: 5.2 km2; includes Eastern Island and Sand Island Comparative area: about nine times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 15 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds Terrain: low, nearly level Natural resources: fish and wildlife Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: coral atoll Note: located 2,350 km west-northwest of Honolulu at the western end of Hawaiian Islands group, about one-third of the way between Honolulu and Tokyo; closed to the public :Midway Islands People:Midway Islands People Population: 453 US military personnel (1992) :Midway Islands Government:Midway Islands Government Long-form name: none Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy, under command of the Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii and managed cooperatively by the US Navy and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System; legislation before Congress in 1990 proposed inclusion of territory within the State of Hawaii Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US) Flag: the US flag is used :Midway Islands Economy: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 Communications:Midway Islands Communications Highways: 32 km total Pipelines: 7.8 km Ports: Sand Island Airports: 3 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m :Midway Islands Defense Forces:Midway Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Moldova Geography:Moldova Geography Total area: 33,700 km2 Land area: 33,700 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Hawaii Land boundaries: 1,389 km; Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: potential dispute with Ukraine over former southern Bessarabian areas; northern Bukovina ceded to Ukraine upon Moldova's incorporation into USSR; internal with ethnic Russians in the Trans-Dnestr and Gagauz Muslims in the South Climate: mild winters, warm summers Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: NA :Moldova People:Moldova People Population: 4,458,435 (July 1992), growth rate 0.7% (1992) Birth rate: 19 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 35 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Moldovan(s); adjective - Moldovan Ethnic divisions: Moldavian (Moldovan) 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13.0%, Gagauz 3.5%, Jews 1.5%, Bulgarian 2.0%, other 1.0% (1989 figures) Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist only about 1,000 members, other 1.0%; note - almost all churchgoers are ethnic Moldovan; the Slavic population are not churchgoers (1991 figures) Languages: Romanian; (Moldovan official), Russian Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 2,095,000; agriculture 34.4%, industry 20.1%, other 45.5% (1985 figures) Organized labor: NA :Moldova Government:Moldova Government Long-form name: Republic of Moldova Type: republic Capital: Chisinau (Kishinev) Administrative divisions: previously divided into 40 rayons; now to be divided into 7-9 larger districts at some future point Independence: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union; formerly Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova) Constitution: formulating a new constitution; old constitution is still in effect but has been heavily amended during the past few years Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and CSCE documents National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August 1991 Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet of Ministers Legislative branch: Moldovan Supreme Soviet Judicial branch: Supreme Court (highest civil court in Moldova) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Prime Minister Valeriy MURAVSKY (since 28 May 1991), 1st Deputy Prime Minister Constantin OBOROC (since June 1990); 1st Deputy Prime Minister Constantin TAMPIZA (since June 1990); 1st Deputy Prime Minister Andrei SANGHELI (since June 1990) Chief of State: President Mircea SNEGUR (since 3 September 1990) Head of Legislature: Chairman of the Supreme Soviet (Premier) Valeriy MURAVSKIY (since May 1991); 1st Deputy Prime Minister Ian HADIRCA (since 11 May 1990); Deputy Prime Minister Victor PUSCASU, 21 November 1989; Deputy Prime Minister Mihial PLASICHUK, NA Political parties and leaders: Moldovan Popular Front, Yuriy ROSHKA, chairman (since summer 1990); Unitatea-Yedinstvo Intermovement, V. YAKOVLEV, chairman; Bulgarian Rebirth Society, Ivan ZABUNOV, chairman; Democratic Group, five cochairmen Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 8 December 1991; results - Mircea SNEGUR won 98.17% of vote Moldovan Supreme Soviet: last held 25 February 1990; results - Moldovan Popular Front 33%, Intermovement 34%, Communist Party 32%; seats - (366 total) Popular Front Club 35; Sovereignty Club 35; Club of Independent Deputies 25; Agrarian Club 110; Club Bujak 15; Reality Club 25; Soviet Moldova 80; remaining 41 seats probably belong to Onestr region deputies who usually boycott Moldovan legislative proceedings :Moldova Government:Moldova Government Other political or pressure groups: United Council of Labor Collectives (UCLC), Igor SMIRNOV, chairman; Social Democratic Party of Moldova (SDPM), V. CHIOBATARU, leader; The Ecology Movement of Moldova (EMM), G. MALARCHUK, chairman; The Christian Democratic League of Women of Moldova (CDLWM), L. LARI, chairman; National Christian Party of Moldova (NCPM), D. TODIKE, M. BARAGA, V. NIKU, leaders; The Peoples Movement Gagauz Khalky (GKh), S. GULGAR, leader; The Democratic Party of Gagauzia (DPG), G. SAVOSTIN, chairman; The Alliance of Working People of Moldova (AWPM), G. POLOGOV, president Member of: CSCE, UN Diplomatic representation: Ambassador vacant US: Charge Howard Steers; Interim Chancery at #103 Strada Alexei Mateevich, Kishinev (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone 8-011-7-0422-23-28-94 at Hotel Seabeco in Kishinev 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 carrying a cross in its beak and an olive branch in its claws :Moldova Economy:Moldova Economy Overview: Moldova, the next-to-smallest of the former Soviet republics in area, is the most densely inhabited. Moldova has a little more than 1% of the population, labor force, capital stock, and output of the former Soviet Union. Living standards have been below average for the European USSR. The country enjoys a favorable climate, and economic development has been primarily based on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Industry accounts for 20% of the labor force, whereas agriculture employs more than one-third. Moldova has no major mineral resources and has depended on the former Soviet republics for coal, oil, gas, steel, most electronic equipment, machine tools, and major consumer durables such as automobiles. Its industrial and agricultural products, in turn, have been exported to the other former Soviet republics. Moldova has freed prices on most goods and has legalized private ownership of property, including agricultural land. Moldova's economic prospects are dimmed by the difficulties of moving toward a market economy and the political problems of redefining ties to the other former Soviet republics and Romania. GDP: NA; per capita NA; real growth rate -12% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 97% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA million; expenditures $NA million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (1992) Exports: $400 million rubles (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, textiles and footwear, machinery, chemicals (1991) partners: NA Imports: $1.9 billion rubles (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: oil, gas, coal, steel machinery, foodstuffs, automobiles, and other consumer durables partners: NA External debt: $650 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -7% (1991) Electricity: 3,000,000 kW capacity; 13,000 million kWh produced, 2,806 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: key products (with share of total former Soviet output in parentheses where known): agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers (2.7%), washing machines (5.0%), hosiery (2.0%), refined sugar (3.1%), vegetable oil (3.7%), canned food (8.6%), shoes, textiles Agriculture: Moldova's principal economic activity; products (shown in share of total output of the former Soviet republics): Grain (1.6%), sugar beets (2.6%), sunflower seed (4.4%), vegetables (4.4%), fruits and berries (9.7%), grapes (20.1%), meat (1.7%), milk (1.4%), and eggs (1.4%) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe :Moldova Economy:Moldova Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1991), $NA, Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1991), $NA million Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Fiscal year: calendar year :Moldova Communications:Moldova Communications Railroads: 1,150 km (includes NA km electrified) (1990); does not include industrial lines Highways: 20,000 km total (1990); 13,900 km hard-surfaced, 6,100 km earth Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: NA Ports: none - landlocked Merchant marine: NA Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: NA Telecommunications: poorly supplied with telephones; 215,000 unsatisfied applications for telephone installations (31 January 1990); connected to Ukraine by landline and countries beyond the former USSR through the switching center in Moscow :Moldova Defense Forces:Moldova Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops); Russian Forces (Ground, Navy, Air, and Air Defense) Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Monaco Geography:Monaco Geography Total area: 1.9 km2 Land area: 1.9 km2 Comparative area: about three times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 4.4 km; France 4.4 km Coastline: 4.1 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: almost entirely urban Note: second-smallest independent state in world (after Vatican City) :Monaco People:Monaco People Population: 29,965 (July 1992), growth rate 0.9% (1992) Birth rate: 7 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 9 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 80 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.1 children born/woman (1992) 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% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: 4,000 members in 35 unions :Monaco Government:Monaco Government Long-form name: Principality of Monaco Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Monaco Administrative divisions: 4 quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo Independence: 1419, rule by the House of Grimaldi Constitution: 17 December 1962 Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 19 November Executive branch: prince, minister of state, Council of Government (cabinet) Legislative branch: National Council (Conseil National) Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal (Tribunal Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: Prince RAINIER III (since November 1949); Heir Apparent Prince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre (born 14 March 1958) Head of Government: Minister of State Jean AUSSEIL (since 16 September 1985) Political parties and leaders: National and Democratic Union (UND), Democratic Union Movement (MUD), Monaco Action, Monegasque Socialist Party (PSM) Suffrage: universal adult at age 25 Elections: National Council: last held on 24 January 1988 (next to be held 24 January 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total) UND 18 Member of: ACCT, CSCE, IAEA, ICAO, IMF (observer), IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO Diplomatic representation: Monaco maintains honorary consulates general in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco, and honorary consulates in Dallas, Honolulu, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, and Washington US: no mission in Monaco, but the US Consul General in Marseille, France, is accredited to Monaco; Consul General R. Susan WOOD; Consulate General at 12 Boulevard Paul Peytral, 13286 Marseille Cedex (mailing address APO AE 09777); telephone [33] (91) 549-200 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red :Monaco Economy: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. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $475 million, per capita $16,000; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: full employment (1989) Budget: revenues $424 million; expenditures $376 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991) Exports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monacan trade duties; also participates in EC market system through customs union with France Imports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monacan trade duties; also participates in EC market system through customs union with France External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 10,000 kW standby capacity (1991); power supplied by France Indus Agriculture: NA Economic aid: NA Currency: French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.3801 (January 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Monaco Communications:Monaco Communications Railroads: 1.6 km 1.435-meter gauge Highways: none; city streets Ports: Monaco Merchant marine: 1 petroleum tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,268 GRT/4,959 DWT Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 1 usable airfield with permanent-surface runways Telecommunications: served by cable into the French communications system; automatic telephone system; 38,200 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV; no communication satellite earth stations :Monaco Defense Forces:Monaco Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Mongolia Geography:Mongolia Geography Total area: 1,565,000 km2 Land area: 1,565,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries: 8,114 km; China 4,673 km, Russia 3,441 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges) Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains; mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in southeast Natural resources: oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 79%; forest and woodland 10%; other 10%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: harsh and rugged Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia :Mongolia People:Mongolia People Population: 2,305,516 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992) Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 47 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 68 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Mongolian(s); adjective - Mongolian Ethnic divisions: Mongol 90%, Kazakh 4%, Chinese 2%, Russian 2%, other 2% Religions: predominantly Tibetan Buddhist, Muslim (about 4%); previously limited religious activity because of Communist regime Languages: Khalkha Mongol used by over 90% of population; minor languages include Turkic, Russian, and Chinese Literacy: 90% (male NA%, female NA%) (1989 est.) Labor force: NA, but primarily herding/agricultural; over half the adult population is in the labor force, including a large percentage of women; shortage of skilled labor Organized labor: 425,000 members of the Central Council of Mongolian Trade Unions (CCMTU) controlled by the government (1984); independent labor organizations now being formed :Mongolia Government:Mongolia Government Long-form name: Mongolia Type: in transition from Communist state to republic Capital: Ulaanbaatar Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 3 municipalities* (hotuud, singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan*, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Erdenet*, Govi-Altay, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs Independence: 13 March 1921 (from China; formerly Outer Mongolia) Constitution: 12 February 1992 Legal system: blend of Russian, Chinese, and Turkish systems of law; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Mongolian People's Revolution (NAADAM) 11-13 July; observed 13 July Executive branch: premier, deputy premiers, Cabinet, president, vice president Legislative branch: State Great Hural Judicial branch: High Court; serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts, but to date rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts Leaders: Chief of State: President Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (since 3 September 1990); Vice President Radnaasumbereliyn GONCHIGDORJ (since 7 September 1990) Head of Government: Premier Dashiyn BYAMBASUREN (since 11 September 1990) Political parties and leaders: ruling party: Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), Budragchagiin DASH-YONDON, general secretary opposition: Social Democratic Party (SDP), BATBAYAR; Mongolian Democratic Association, Ts. ELBEGDORJ, chief coordinator; Mongolian Party of National Progress, GANBOLD other: Mongolian Democratic Party (MDP), BATUUL; Free Labor Party, C. DUL; note - opposition parties were legalized in May 1990; additional parties exist: The Green Party, The Buddhist Party, The Republican Party, Mongolian People's Party, and Mongolian Revival Party; these were formed but may not be officially registered because of low rates of membership Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 3 September 1990 (next to be held NA July 1994); results - Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT elected by the People's Great Hural State Great Hural: first time held June 1992; note - according to the new present Constitution, the two parliamentary bodies are to be combined into a single popularly elected house consisting of 76 members; results - NA :Mongolia Government:Mongolia Government People's Small Hural: last held on 29 July 1990 (next to be held June 1992); results - MPRP 62.3%, MDP 24.5%, SDP 7. 5%, PNP 5.7%; seats - (50 total) MPRP 33, other 17; note - People's Small Hural will not exist after State Great Hural is assembled Communists: MPRP membership 90,000 (1990 est.) Member of: AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, G-77, IAEA, IBEC, IBRD, ICAO, ILO, IMF, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Luvsandorj DAWAGIV; Chancery, (202) 983-1962 US: Ambassador Joseph E. LAKE; Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas E. DOWLING; Embassy at Ulaanbaatar, c/o American Embassy Beijing; PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 06521-0002; telephone (800) 29095 and 29639 Flag: a new flag of unknown description reportedly has been adopted :Mongolia Economy: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 - Mongolia has the highest number of livestock per person in the world. In recent years extensive mineral resources have been developed with Soviet support. 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. In 1991-92 Mongolian leadership is struggling with severe economic dislocations, mainly attributable to the economic crumbling of the USSR, by far Mongolia's leading trade and development partner. Moscow almost certainly cut aid in 1991, and the dissolution of the USSR at yearend 1991 makes prospects for aid quite bleak for 1992. Industry in 1991-92 has been hit hard by energy shortages, mainly due to disruptions in coal production and shortfalls in petroleum imports. The government is moving away from the Soviet-style centrally planned economy through privatization and price reform. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.1 billion, per capita $900; real growth rate -3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 100% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1991 est.) Budget: deficit of $67 million (1991) Exports: $279 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals partners: USSR 75%, China 10%, Japan 4% Imports: $360 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea partners: USSR 75%, Austria 5%, China 5% External debt: $16.8 billion (yearend 1990); 98.6% with USSR Industrial production: growth rate -12% (1991 est.) Electricity: 1,238,000 kW capacity; 3,700 million kWh produced, 1,692 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: copper, processing of animal products, building materials, food and beverage, mining (particularly coal) Agriculture: accounts for about 20% 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 :Mongolia Economy:Mongolia Economy Economic aid: about $300 million in trade credits and $34 million in grant aid from USSR and other CEMA countries, plus $7.4 million from UNDP (1990); in 1991, $170 million in grants and technical assistance from Western donor countries, including $30 million from World Bank and $30 million from the IMF; over $200 million from donor countries projected in 1992 Currency: tughrik (plural - tughriks); 1 tughrik (Tug) = 100 mongos Exchange rates: tughriks (Tug) per US$1 - 7.1 (1991), 5.63 (1990), 3.00 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year :Mongolia Communications:Mongolia Communications Railroads: 1,750 km 1.524-meter broad gauge (1988) Highways: 46,700 km total; 1,000 km hard surface; 45,700 km other surfaces (1988) Inland waterways: 397 km of principal routes (1988) Civil air: 25 major transport aircraft Airports: 81 total, 31 usable; 11 with permanent-surface runways; fewer than 5 with runways over 3,659 m; fewer than 20 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 63,000 telephones (1989); broadcast stations - 12 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV (with 18 provincial repeaters); repeat of Russian TV; 120,000 TVs; 220,000 radios; at least 1 earth station :Mongolia Defense Forces:Mongolia Defense Forces Branches: Mongolian People's Army (includes Border Guards), Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 551,548; 359,904 fit for military service; 25,275 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $22.8 million of GDP (1992 budget) :Montserrat Geography:Montserrat Geography Total area: 100 km2 Land area: 100 km2 Comparative area: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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% Environment: subject to severe hurricanes from June to November Note: located 400 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea :Montserrat People:Montserrat People Population: 12,617 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4 (1992) Birth rate: 17 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 11 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Montserratian(s); adjective - Montserratian Ethnic divisions: mostly black with a few Europeans Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations Languages: English Literacy: 97% (male 97%, female 97%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 5,100; community, social, and personal services 40.5%, construction 13.5%, trade, restaurants, and hotels 12.3%, manufacturing 10.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 8.8%, other 14.4% (1983 est.) Organized labor: 30% of labor force, three trade unions with 1,500 members (1984 est.) :Montserrat Government:Montserrat Government Long-form name: none Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Plymouth Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 1 January 1960 Legal system: English common law and statute law National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June) Executive branch: monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet), chief minister Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor David TAYLOR (since NA 1990) Head of Government: Chief Minister Reuben T. MEADE (since October 1991) Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party (NPP) Reuben T. MEADE; People's Liberation Movement (PLM), Noel TUITT; National Development Party (NDP), Bertrand OSBORNE; Independent (IND), Ruby BRAMBLE Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Council: last held on 8 October 1991; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 7 elected) NPP 4, NDP 1, PLM 1, independent 1 Member of: CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, OECS, WCL 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:Montserrat Economy Overview: The economy is small and open with economic activity centered on tourism and construction. Tourism is the most important sector and accounted for 20% of GDP in 1986. Agriculture accounted 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. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $54.2 million, per capita $4,500 (1988); real growth rate 10% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.8% (1990) Unemployment rate: 3.0% (1987) Budget: revenues $12.1 million; expenditures $14.3 million, including capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1988) Exports: $2.3 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.) commodities: electronic parts, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle partners: NA Imports: $30 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials partners: NA External debt: $2.05 million (1987) Industrial production: growth rate 8.1% (1986); accounts for 10% of GDP Electricity: 5,271 kW capacity; 12 million kWh produced, 960 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism; light manufacturing - rum, textiles, electronic appliances Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP; small-scale farming; food crops - tomatoes, onions, peppers; not self-sufficient in food, especially livestock products Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $90 million Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Montserrat Communications:Montserrat Communications Highways: 280 km total; about 200 km paved, 80 km gravel and earth Ports: Plymouth Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 1,036 m Telecommunications: 3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV :Montserrat Defense Forces:Montserrat Defense Forces Branches: Police Force Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Morocco Geography:Morocco Geography Total area: 446,550 km2 Land area: 446,300 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: 2,002 km; Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km Coastline: 1,835 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is unresolved; the UN is attempting to hold a referendum; the UN-administered cease-fire has been currently in effect since September 1991 Spain controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which Morocco contests as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior Terrain: mostly mountains with rich coastal plains Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt Land use: arable land 18%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 28%; forest and woodland 12%; other 41%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; desertification Note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar :Morocco People:Morocco People Population: 26,708,587 (July 1992), growth rate 2.1% (1992) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: - 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 56 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 67 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Moroccan(s); adjective - Moroccan Ethnic divisions: Arab-Berber 99.1%, non-Moroccan 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2% Languages: Arabic (official); several Berber dialects; French is often the language of business, government, and diplomacy Literacy: 50% (male 61%, female 38%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 7,400,000; agriculture 50%, services 26%, industry 15%, other 9% (1985) Organized labor: about 5% of the labor force, mainly in the Union of Moroccan Workers (UMT) and the Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT) :Morocco Government:Morocco Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Morocco Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Rabat Administrative divisions: 37 provinces and 5 municipalities* (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes, Fes*, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech, Marrakech*, Meknes, Meknes*, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France) Constitution: 10 March 1972 Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court National holiday: National Day (anniversary of King Hassan II's accession to the throne), 3 March (1961) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Representatives (Majlis Nawab) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr. Azzedine LARAKI (since 30 September 1986) Political parties and leaders: Morocco has 15 political parties; the major ones are Istiqlal, M'Hamed BOUCETTA; Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP); Popular Movement (MP), Secretariat General; National Assembly of Independents (RNI), Ahmed OSMAN; National Democratic Party (PND), Mohamed Arsalane EL-JADIDI; Party for Progress and Socialism (PPS); Constitutional Union (UC), Maati BOUABID Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: Chamber of Representatives: last held on 14 September 1984 (were scheduled for September 1990, but postponed until NA 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (306 total, 206 elected) CU 83, RNI 61, MP 47, Istiqlal 41, USFP 36, PND 24, other 14 Communists: about 2,000 Member of: ABEDA, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IIB, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, OAS (observer), NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO :Morocco Government:Morocco Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Mohamed BELKHAYAT; Chancery at 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 462-7979; there is a Moroccan Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Frederick VREELAND; Embassy at 2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat (mailing address is P. O. Box 120, Rabat, or PSC 74, APO AE 09718; telephone [212] (7) 76-22-65; FAX [212] (7) 76-56-61; there is a US Consulate General in Casablanca Flag: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam :Morocco Economy:Morocco Economy Overview: The economy had recovered moderately in 1990 because of: the resolution of a trade dispute with India over phosphoric acid sales, a rebound in textile sales to the EC, lower prices for food imports, a sharp increase in worker remittances, increased Arab donor aid, and generous debt rescheduling agreements. Economic performance in 1991 was mixed. A record harvest helped real GDP advance by 4.2%, although nonagricultural output grew by less than 1%. Inflation accelerated slightly as easier financial policies triggered rapid credit and monetary growth. Despite recovery of domestic demand, import volume growth slowed while export volume was adversely affected by phosphate marketing difficulties. In January 1992, Morocco reached a new 12-month standby arrangement for $129 million with the IMF. In February 1992, the Paris Club rescheduled $1.4 billion of Morocco's commercial debt. This is thought to be Morocco's last rescheduling. By 1993 the Moroccan authorities hope to be in a position to meet all debt service obligations without additional rescheduling. Servicing this large debt, high unemployment, and Morocco's vulnerability to external economic forces remain severe long-term problems. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $27.3 billion, per capita $1,060; real growth rate 4.2% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (1991 ) Unemployment rate: 16% (1991) Budget: revenues $7.5 billion; expenditures $7.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.9 billion (1992) Exports: $4.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%, consumer goods 21%, phosphates 17% partners: EC 58%, India 7%, Japan 5%, USSR 3%, US 2% Imports: $6.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: capital goods 24%, semiprocessed goods 22%, raw materials 16%, fuel and lubricants 16%, food and beverages 13%, consumer goods 9% partners: EC 53%, US 11%, Canada 4%, Iraq 3%, USSR 3%, Japan 2% External debt: $20 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1989 est.); accounts for an estimated 20% of GDP Electricity: 2,270,000 kW capacity; 8,170 million kWh produced, 310 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism Agriculture: 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; fishing catch of 491,000 metric tons in 1987 :Morocco Economy:Morocco Economy Illicit drugs: illicit producer of hashish; trafficking on the increase for both domestic and international drug markets; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; occasional transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe. Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.3 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4.8 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.5 billion; $2.8 billion debt canceled by Saudi Arabia (1991); IMF standby agreement worth $13 million; World Bank, $450 million (1991) Currency: Moroccan dirham (plural - dirhams); 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 8.889 (March 1992), 8.707 (1991), 8.242 (1990), 8.488 (1989), 8.209 (1988), 8.359 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Morocco Communications:Morocco Communications Railroads: 1,893 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (246 km double track, 974 km electrified) Highways: 59,198 km total; 27,740 km paved, 31,458 km gravel, crushed stone, improved earth, and unimproved earth Pipelines: crude oil 362 km; petroleum products (abandoned) 491 km; natural gas 241 km Ports: Agadir, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Safi, Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla Merchant marine: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 315,249 GRT/487,479 DWT; includes 10 cargo, 2 container, 12 refrigerated cargo, 6 roll-on/roll-off, 3 petroleum tanker, 11 chemical tanker, 4 bulk, 3 short-sea passenger Civil air: 28 major transport aircraft Airports: 75 total, 67 usable; 26 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 13 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 27 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good system composed of wire lines, cables, and radio relay links; principal centers are Casablanca and Rabat; secondary centers are Fes, Marrakech, Oujda, Tangier, and Tetouan; 280,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 20 AM, 7 FM, 26 TV and 26 additional rebroadcast sites; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT; radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave to Algeria; microwave network linking Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco :Morocco Defense Forces:Morocco Defense Forces Branches: Royal Moroccan Army, Royal Moroccan Navy, Royal Moroccan Air Force, Royal Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces Manpower availability: males 15-49, 6,604,712; 4,196,449 fit for military service; 293,204 reach military age (18) annually; limited conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, 4.2% of GDP (1992 budget) :Mozambique Geography:Mozambique Geography Total area: 801,590 km2 Land area: 784,090 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of California Land boundaries: 4,571 km total; Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km Coastline: 2,470 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 NEGL%; meadows and pastures 56%; forest and woodland 20%; other 20%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: severe drought and floods occur in south; desertification :Mozambique People:Mozambique People Population: 15,469,150 (July 1992), growth rate 4.1% (1992); note - 1.5 million Mozambican refugees; 900,000 in Malawi (1991 est.) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 17 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 12 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 134 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 46 years male, 49 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Mozambican(s); adjective - Mozambican Ethnic divisions: majority from indigenous tribal groups; Europeans about 10,000, Euro-Africans 35,000, Indians 15,000 Religions: indigenous beliefs 60%, Christian 30%, Muslim 10% Languages: Portuguese (official); many indigenous dialects Literacy: 33% (male 45%, female 21%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: NA, but 90% engaged in agriculture Organized labor: 225,000 workers belong to a single union, the Mozambique Workers' Organization (OTM) :Mozambique Government:Mozambique Government Long-form name: Republic of Mozambique Type: republic Capital: Maputo Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal) Constitution: 30 November 1990 Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law National holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica) Judicial branch: People's Courts at all levels Leaders: Chief of State: President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986) Head of Government: Prime Minister Mario da Graca MACHUNGO (since 17 July 1986) Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) - formerly a Marxist organization with close ties to the USSR - was the only legal party before 30 November 1990 when the new Constitution went into effect establishing a multiparty system; note - the government plans multiparty elections as early as 1993; 14 parties, including the Liberal Democratic Party of Mozambique (PALMO), the Mozambique National Union (UNAMO), and the Mozambique National Movement (MONAMO) have already emerged Suffrage: universal adult at age 18 Elections: draft electoral law provides for periodic, direct presidential and Assembly elections Communists: about 200,000 FRELIMO members; note - FRELIMO no longer considers itself a Communist party Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INMARSAT, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Hipolito PATRICIO; Chancery at Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 293-7146 US: Ambassador Townsend B. FRIEDMAN, Jr.; Embassy at Avenida Kenneth Kuanda, 193 Maputo (mailing address is P. O. Box 783, Maputo); telephone [258] (1) 49-27-97, 49-01-67, 49-03-50; FAX [258] (1) 49-01-14 :Mozambique Government:Mozambique Government 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: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, has resulted in successive years of economic growth since 1985. Agricultural output, nevertheless, is at about 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. The continuation of civil strife through 1991 has dimmed chances of foreign investment, and growth was a mere 1%. Living standards, already abysmally low, dropped by 3-4% in both 1990 and 1991. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion, per capita $120; real growth rate 1.0% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 40.5% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 50% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $369 million; expenditures $860 million, including capital expenditures of $432 million (1989 est.) Exports: $117 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: shrimp 48%, cashews 21%, sugar 10%, copra 3%, citrus 3% partners: US, Western Europe, GDR, Japan Imports: $870 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.), including aid commodities: food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum partners: US, Western Europe, USSR External debt: $4.9 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1989 est.) Electricity: 2,270,000 kW capacity; 1,745 million kWh produced, 115 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum products, textiles, nonmetallic mineral products (cement, glass, asbestos), tobacco Agriculture: accounts for 80% of the labor force, 50% of GDP, and about 90% of exports; cash crops - cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, shrimp; other crops - cassava, corn, rice, tropical fruits; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $350 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.4 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $37 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $890 million Currency: metical (plural - meticais); 1 metical (Mt) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: meticais (Mt) per US$1 - 2,358 (1 May 1992), 1,811.18 (1991), 929.00 (1990), 800.00 (1989), 528.60 (1988), 289.44 (1987) :Mozambique Economy:Mozambique Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Mozambique Communications:Mozambique Communications Railroads: 3,288 km total; 3,140 km 1.067-meter gauge; 148 km 0.762-meter narrow gauge; Malawi-Nacala, Malawi-Beira, and Zimbabwe-Maputo lines are subject to closure because of insurgency Highways: 26,498 km total; 4,593 km paved; 829 km gravel, crushed stone, stabilized soil; 21,076 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: about 3,750 km of navigable routes Pipelines: crude oil (not operating) 306 km; petroleum products 289 km Ports: Maputo, Beira, Nacala Merchant marine: 5 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,806 GRT/12,873 DWT Civil air: 7 major transport aircraft Airports: 195 total, 137 usable; 27 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 26 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system of troposcatter, open-wire lines, and radio relay; broadcast stations - 29 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 3 domestic Indian Ocean INTELSAT :Mozambique Defense Forces:Mozambique Defense Forces Branches: Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guards, Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 3,490,554; 2,004,913 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $107 million, 6-7% of GDP (1989) :Namibia Geography:Namibia Geography Total area: 824,290 km2 Land area: 823,290 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than half the size of Alaska Land boundaries: 3,935 km total; Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 966 km, Zambia 233 km Coastline: 1,489 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: short section of boundary with Botswana is indefinite; disputed island with Botswana in the Chobe River; quadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; claim by Namibia to Walvis Bay and 12 offshore islands administered by South Africa; Namibia and South Africa have agreed to jointly administer the area for an interim period; the terms and dates to be covered by joint administration arrangements have not been established at this time, and Namibia will continue to maintain a claim to sovereignty over the entire area; recent dispute with Botswana over uninhabited Sidudu Island in the Linyanti River Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspected deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and iron ore Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 64%; forest and woodland 22%; other 13%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: inhospitable with very limited natural water resources; desertification Note: Walvis Bay area is an exclave of South Africa in Namibia :Namibia People:Namibia People Population: 1,574,927 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992) Birth rate: 45 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 66 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 58 years male, 63 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Namibian(s); adjective - Namibian Ethnic divisions: black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4%; about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% from the Kavangos tribe Religions: predominantly Christian Languages: English is official language; Afrikaans is common language of most of population and about 60% of white population, German 32%, English 7%; several indigenous languages Literacy: 38% (male 45%, female 31%) age 15 and over can read and write (1960) Labor force: 500,000; agriculture 60%, industry and commerce 19%, services 8%, government 7%, mining 6% (1981 est.) Organized labor: 20 trade unions representing about 90,000 workers :Namibia Government:Namibia Government Long-form name: Republic of Namibia Type: republic Capital: Windhoek Administrative divisions: the former administrative structure of 26 districts has been abolished and 14 temporary regions are still being determined; note - the 26 districts were Bethanien, Boesmanland, Caprivi Oos, Damaraland, Gobabis, Grootfontein, Hereroland Oos, Hereroland Wes, Kaokoland, Karasburg, Karibib, Kavango, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Maltahohe, Mariental, Namaland, Okahandja, Omaruru, Otjiwarongo, Outjo, Owambo, Rehoboth, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Windhoek Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral; House of Review (upper house, to be established with elections in late 1992 by planned new regional authorities); National Assembly (lower house elected by universal suffrage) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990) Political parties and leaders: South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Sam NUJOMA; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA), Dirk MUDGE; United Democratic Front (UDF), Justus GAROEB; Action Christian National (ACN), Kosie PRETORIUS; National Patriotic Front (NPF), Moses KATJIUONGUA; Federal Convention of Namibia (FCN), Hans DIERGAARDT; Namibia National Front (NNF), Vekuii RUKORO Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 16 February 1990 (next to be held March 1995); results - Sam NUJOMA was elected president by the Constituent Assembly (now the National Assembly) National Assembly: last held on 7-11 November 1989 (next to be held by November 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) SWAPO 41, DTA 21, UDF 4, ACN 3, NNF 1, FCN 1, NPF 1 Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: ACP, AfDB, CECA (associate), ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ILO, IMF, ITU, NAM, SACU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, WCL, WFTU, WHO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Tuliameni KALOMOH; Chancery at 1605 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (mailing address is PO Box 34738, Washington, DC 20043); telephone (202) 986-0540 :Namibia Government:Namibia Government US: Ambassador Genta Hawkins HOLMES; Embassy at Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Windhoek (mailing address is P. O. Box 9890, Windhoek 9000, Namibia); telephone [264] (61) 221-601, 222-675, 222-680; FAX [264] (61) 229-792 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: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, and it has substantial resources of coal. More than half the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2 billion, per capita $1,400; real growth rate 5.1% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17% (1991 - Windhoek) Unemployment rate: over 25% (1991) Budget: revenues $864 million; expenditures $1,112 million, including capital expenditures of $144 million (FY 92) Exports: $1,021 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: uranium, diamonds, zinc, copper, cattle, processed fish, karakul skins partners: Switzerland, South Africa, FRG, Japan Imports: $894 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment partners: South Africa, FRG, US, Switzerland External debt: about $250 million; under a 1971 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling, Namibia may not be liable for debt incurred during its colonial period Industrial production: growth rate - 6% (1990 est.); accounts for 35% of GDP, including mining Electricity: 490,000 kW capacity; 1,290 million kWh produced, 850 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, mining (copper, lead, zinc, diamond, uranium) Agriculture: mostly subsistence farming; livestock raising major source of cash income; crops - millet, sorghum, peanuts; fish catch potential of over 1 million metric tons not being fulfilled, 1988 catch reaching only 384,000 metric tons; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $47.2 million Currency: South African rand (plural - rand); 1 South African rand (R) = 100 cents Exchange rates: South African rand (R) per US$1 - 2.8809 (March 1992), 2.7653 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987), 2.2685 (1986) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Namibia Communications:Namibia Communications Railroads: 2,341 km 1.067-meter gauge, single track Highways: 54,500 km; 4,079 km paved, 2,540 km gravel, 47,881 km earth roads and tracks Ports: Luderitz; primary maritime outlet is Walvis Bay (South Africa) Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: 137 total, 112 usable; 21 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 63 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good urban, fair rural services; radio relay connects major towns, wires extend to other population centers; 62,800 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV :Namibia Defense Forces:Namibia Defense Forces Branches: National Defense Force (Army), Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 320,277; 189,997 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $66 million, 3.4% of GDP (FY 92) :Nauru Geography:Nauru Geography Total area: 21 km2 Land area: 21 km2 Comparative area: about one-tenth the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 30 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: only 53 km south of Equator Note: located 500 km north-northeast of Papua New Guinea, Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia :Nauru People:Nauru People Population: 9,460 (July 1992), growth rate 1.3% (1992) Birth rate: 18 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 41 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 69 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Nauruan(s); adjective - Nauruan Ethnic divisions: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8% Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic) Languages: Nauruan, a distinct Pacific Island language (official); English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA :Nauru Government:Nauru Government Long-form name: Republic of Nauru Type: republic Capital: no capital city as such; government offices in Yaren District Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren Independence: 31 January 1968 (from UN trusteeship under Australia, New Zealand, and UK); formerly Pleasant Island Constitution: 29 January 1968 Legal system: own Acts of Parliament and British common law National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 12 December 1989) Political parties and leaders: none Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 20 Elections: President: last held 9 December 1989 (next to be held December 1992); results - Bernard DOWIYOGO elected by Parliament Parliament: last held on 9 December 1989 (next to be held December 1992); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (18 total) independents 18 Member of: C (special), ESCAP, ICAO, INTERPOL, ITU, SPC, SPF, UPU Diplomatic representation: Ambassador-designate Theodore Conrad MOSES resident in Melbourne (Australia); there is a Nauruan Consulate in Agana (Guam) US: the US Ambassador to Australia is accredited to Nauru Flag: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru :Nauru Economy: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 - $10,000 annually. 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. GNP: exchange rate conversion - over $90 million, per capita $10,000; real growth rate NA% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 0% Budget: revenues $69.7 million; expenditures $51.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY86 est.) Exports: $93 million (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: phosphates partners: Australia, NZ Imports: $73 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery partners: Australia, UK, NZ, Japan External debt: $33.3 million Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 14,000 kW capacity; 50 million kWh produced, 5,430 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconuts Agriculture: negligible; almost completely dependent on imports for food and water Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries (1970-89), $2 million Currency: Australian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3177 (March 1992), 1.2834 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Nauru Communications:Nauru Communications Railroads: 3.9 km; used to haul phosphates from the center of the island to processing facilities on the southwest coast Highways: about 27 km total; 21 km paved, 6 km improved earth Ports: Nauru Merchant marine: 1 bulk ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,426 GRT/5,750 DWT Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft, one on order Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate local and international radio communications provided via Australian facilities; 1,600 telephones; 4,000 radios; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Nauru Defense Forces:Nauru Defense Forces Branches: no regular armed forces; Directorate of the Nauru Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: $NA - no formal defense structure :Navassa Island Geography:Navassa Island Geography Total area: 5.2 km2 Land area: 5.2 km2 Comparative area: about nine times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus Note: strategic location between Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea; 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba :Navassa Island People:Navassa Island People Population: uninhabited; transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island :Navassa Island Government:Navassa Island Government Long-form name: none (territory of the US) Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Coast Guard Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC :Navassa Island Economy:Navassa Island Economy Overview: no economic activity :Navassa Island Communications:Navassa Island Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only :Navassa Island Defense Forces:Navassa Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Nepal Geography:Nepal Geography Total area: 140,800 km2 Land area: 136,800 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Arkansas Land boundaries: 2,926 km total; China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south Terrain: Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydroelectric potential, scenic beauty; small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore Land use: arable land 17%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 13%; forest and woodland 33%; other 37%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India :Nepal People:Nepal People Population: 20,086,455 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 38 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 90 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 51 years male, 51 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Nepalese (singular and plural); adjective - Nepalese Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas, as well as many smaller groups Religions: only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp distinction between many Hindu (about 90% of population) and Buddhist groups (about 5% of population); Muslims 3%, other 2% (1981) Languages: Nepali (official); 20 languages divided into numerous dialects Literacy: 26% (male 38%, female 13%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 8,500,000 (1991 est.); agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry 2%; severe lack of skilled labor Organized labor: Teachers' Union and many other nonofficially recognized unions :Nepal Government:Nepal Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Nepal Type: parliamentary democracy as of 12 May 1991 Capital: Kathmandu Administrative divisions: 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti Independence: 1768, unified by Prithyi Narayan Shah Constitution: 9 November 1990 Legal system: based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 28 December (1945) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or National Council and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarbochha Adalat) Leaders: Chief of State: King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev (since 31 January 1972, crowned King 24 February 1985); Heir Apparent Crown Prince DIPENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev, son of the King (born 21 June 1971) Head of Government: Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 29 May 1991) Political parties and leaders: ruling party: Nepali Congress Party (NCP), Girija Prasad KOIRALA, Ganesh Man SINGH, Krishna Prasad BHATTARAI center: the NDP has two factions: National Democratic Party/Chand (NDP/Chand), Lokinra Bahadur CHAND, and National Democratic Party/Thapa (NDP/Thapa), Surya Bahadur THAPA - the two factions announced a merger in late 1991; Terai Rights Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party, G. N. Naryan SINGH Communist: Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist and Leninist (CPN/UML), Man Mohan ADIKHARY; United People's Front (UPF), N. K. PRASAI, Lila Mani POKHAREL; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, leader NA; Rohit Party, N. M. BIJUKCHHE; Democratic Party, leader NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives: last held on 12 May 1991 (next to be held May 1996); results - NCP 38%, CPN/UML 28%, NDP/Chand 6%, UPF 5%, NDP/Thapa 5%, Terai Rights Sadbhavana Party 4%, Rohit 2%, CPN (Democratic) 1%, independents 4%, other 7%; seats - (205 total) NCP 110, CPN/UML 69, UPF 9, Terai Rights Sadbhavana Party 6, NDP/Chand 3, Rohit 2, CPN (Democratic) 2, NDP/Thapa 1, independents 3; note - the new Constitution of 9 November 1990 gives Nepal a multiparty democracy system for the first time in 32 years :Nepal Government:Nepal Government Communists: Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) Other political or pressure groups: numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small, radical Nepalese antimonarchist groups Member of: AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Yog Prasad UPADHYAYA; Chancery at 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 667-4550; there is a Nepalese Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Julia Chang BLOCH; Embassy at Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu; telephone [977] (1) 411179 or 412718, 411604, 411613, 413890; FAX [977] (1) 419963 Flag: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun :Nepal Economy: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 60% 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 87% of foreign exchange earnings in FY89. Apart from agricultural land and forests, the only other 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%. Forty percent or more of the population is undernourished partly because of poor distribution. Since May 1991, the government has been encouraging privatization and foreign investment. It has introduced policies to eliminate many business licenses and registration requirements in order to simplify domestic and foreign investment procedures. Economic prospects for the 1990s remain poor because the economy starts from such a low base. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $3.2 billion, per capita $165; real growth rate 3.5% (FY91) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.0% (December 1991) Unemployment rate: 5%; underemployment estimated at 25-40% (1987) Budget: revenues $294.0 million; expenditures $624.0 million, including capital expenditures of $396 (FY92 est.) Exports: $180 million (f.o.b., FY91) but does not include unrecorded border trade with India commodities: clothing, carpets, leather goods, grain partners: US, India, Germany, UK Imports: $545 million (c.i.f., FY91 est.) commodities: petroleum products 20%, fertilizer 11%, machinery 10% partners: India, Singapore, Japan, Germany External debt: $2.5 billion (April 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6% (FY91 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP Electricity: 280,000 kW capacity; 540 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette, textile, carpet, cement, and brick production; tourism Agriculture: accounts for 60% of GDP and 90% of work force; farm products - rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, buffalo meat; not self-sufficient in food, particularly in drought years Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and international drug markets Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $304 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $2,230 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $30 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $286 million :Nepal Economy:Nepal Economy Currency: Nepalese rupee (plural - rupees); 1 Nepalese rupee (NR) = 100 paisa Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NRs) per US$1 - 42.7 (January 1992), 37.255 (1991), 29.370 (1990), 27.189 (1989), 23.289 (1988), 21.819 (1987) Fiscal year: 16 July - 15 July :Nepal Communications:Nepal Communications Railroads: 52 km (1990), all 0.762-meter narrow gauge; all in Terai close to Indian border; 10 km from Raxaul to Birganj is government owned Highways: 7,080 km total (1990); 2,898 km paved, 1,660 km gravel or crushed stone; also 2,522 km of seasonally motorable tracks Civil air: 5 major and 11 minor transport aircraft Airports: 37 total, 37 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 8 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radio communication and broadcast service; international radio communication service is poor; 50,000 telephones (1990); broadcast stations - 88 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Nepal Defense Forces:Nepal Defense Forces Branches: Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service, Nepalese Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 4,798,984; 2,488,749 fit for military service; 225,873 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 2% of GDP (FY92) :Netherlands Geography:Netherlands Geography Total area: 37,330 km2 Land area: 33,920 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: 1,027 km total; Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km Coastline: 451 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specific Territorial sea: 12 nm 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, crude oil, fertile soil Land use: arable land 26%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 32%; forest and woodland 9%; other 32%; includes irrigated 16% Environment: 27% of the land area is below sea level and protected from the North Sea by dikes Note: located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, Schelde) :Netherlands People:Netherlands People Population: 15,112,064 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women); adjective - Dutch Ethnic divisions: Dutch 96%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 4% (1988) Religions: Roman Catholic 36%, Protestant 27%, other 6%, unaffiliated 31% (1988) Languages: Dutch Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.) Labor force: 5,300,000; services 50.1%, manufacturing and construction 28.2%, government 15.9%, agriculture 5.8% (1986) Organized labor: 29% of labor force :Netherlands Government:Netherlands Government Long-form name: Kingdom of the Netherlands Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (provincien, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland Independence: 1579 (from Spain) Constitution: 17 February 1983 Dependent areas: Aruba, Netherlands Antilles 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 National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, vice prime minister, Cabinet, Cabinet of Ministers Legislative branch: bicameral legislature (Staten Generaal) consists of an upper chamber or First Chamber (Eerste Kamer) and a lower chamber or Second Chamber (Tweede Kamer) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (De Hoge Raad) Leaders: Chief of State: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER, Prince of Orange, son of Queen Beatrix (born 27 April 1967) Head of Government: Prime Minister Ruud (Rudolph) F. M. LUBBERS (since 4 November 1982); Vice Prime Minister Wim KOK (since 2 November 1989) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), Willem van VELZEN; Labor (PvdA), Wim KOK; Liberal (VVD), Joris VOORHOEVE; Democrats '66 (D'66), Hans van MIERIO; a host of minor parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: First Chamber: last held on 9 June l991 (next to be held 9 June 1995); results - elected by the country's 12 provincial councils; seats - (75 total) percent of seats by party NA Second Chamber: last held on 6 September 1989 (next to be held by September 1993); results - CDA 35.3%, PvdA 31. 9%, VVD 14.6%, D'66 7.9%, other 10.3%; seats - (150 total) CDA 54, PvdA 49, VVD 22, D'66 12, other 13 Communists: about 6,000 :Netherlands Government:Netherlands Government Other political or pressure groups: large multinational firms; Federation of Netherlands Trade Union Movement (comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and a Protestant trade union; Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises; and IKV - Interchurch Peace Council Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMS, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Johan Hendrick MEESMAN; Chancery at 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-5300; there are Dutch Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco US: Ambassador C. Howard WILKINS, Jr.; Embassy at Lange Voorhout 102, The Hague (mailing address PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715); telephone [31] (70) 310-9209; FAX [31] (70) 361-4688; there is a US Consulate General in 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: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 5% of the labor force, but provides large surpluses for export and the domestic food-processing industry. An unemployment rate of 6.2% and a sizable budget deficit are currently the most serious economic problems. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $249.6 billion, per capita $16,600; real growth rate 2.2% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.2% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $98.7 billion; expenditures $110.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991) Exports: $131.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: agricultural products, processed foods and tobacco, natural gas, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing partners: EC 74.9% (FRG 28.3%, Belgium-Luxembourg 14.2%, France 10.7%, UK 10.2%), US 4.7% (1988) Imports: $125.9 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: raw materials and semifinished products, consumer goods, transportation equipment, crude oil, food products partners: EC 63.8% (FRG 26.5%, Belgium-Luxembourg 23.1%, UK 8.1%), US 7.9% (1988) External debt: none Industrial production: growth rate 1.7% (1991 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity: 22,216,000 kW capacity; 63,570 million kWh produced, 4,300 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, construction, microelectronics Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP; animal production predominates; crops - grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; shortages of grain, fats, and oils Illicit drugs: European producer of illicit amphetamines and other synethic drugs Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $19.4 billion Currency: Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (plural - guilders, gulden, or florins); 1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents :Netherlands Economy:Netherlands Economy Exchange rates: Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1 - 1.7753 (January 1992), 1.8697 (1991), 1.8209 (1990), 2.1207 (1989), 1.9766 (1988), 2.0257 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Netherlands Communications:Netherlands Communications Railroads: 3,037 km track (includes 1,871 km electrified and 1,800 km double track); 2,871 km 1.435-meter standard gauge operated by Netherlands Railways (NS); 166 km privately owned Highways: 108,360 km total; 92,525 km paved (including 2,185 km of limited access, divided highways); 15,835 km gravel, crushed stone Inland waterways: 6,340 km, of which 35% is usable by craft of 1,000 metric ton capacity or larger Pipelines: crude oil 418 km; petroleum products 965 km; natural gas 10,230 km Ports: maritime - Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Den Helder, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Ijmuiden, Rotterdam, Scheveningen, Terneuzen, Vlissingen; inland - 29 ports Merchant marine: 345 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,630,962 GRT/3,687,598 DWT; includes 3 short-sea passenger, 191 cargo, 30 refrigerated cargo, 24 container, 12 roll-on/roll-off, 2 livestock carrier, 10 multifunction large-load carrier, 22 oil tanker, 27 chemical tanker, 10 liquefied gas, 2 specialized tanker, 9 bulk, 3 combination bulk; note - many Dutch-owned ships are also registered on the captive Netherlands Antilles register Civil air: 98 major transport aircraft Airports: 28 total, 28 usable; 19 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 11 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 6 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: highly developed, well maintained, and integrated; extensive redundant system of multiconductor cables, supplemented by radio relay links; 9,418,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 (3 relays) AM, 12 (39 repeaters) FM, 8 (7 repeaters) TV; 5 submarine cables; 1 communication satellite earth station operating in INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean antenna) and EUTELSAT systems; nationwide mobile phone system :Netherlands Defense Forces:Netherlands Defense Forces Branches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (including Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Constabulary Manpower availability: males 15-49, 4,144,477; 3,649,746 fit for military service; 111,952 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $7.2 billion, 2.9% of GDP (1991) :Netherlands Antilles Geography:Netherlands Antilles Geography Total area: 960 km2 Land area: 960 km2; includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin) Comparative area: slightly less than 5.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 364 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt, so rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October Note: consists of two island groups - Curacao and Bonaire are located off the coast of Venezuela, and Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius lie 800 km to the north :Netherlands Antilles People:Netherlands Antilles People Population: 184,325 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992) Birth rate: 18 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -9 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 11 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 77 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Netherlands Antillean(s); adjective - Netherlands Antillean Ethnic divisions: mixed African 85%; remainder Carib Indian, European, Latin, and Oriental Religions: predominantly Roman Catholic; Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: Dutch (official); Papiamento, a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect predominates; English widely spoken; Spanish Literacy: 94% (male 94%, female 93%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 89,000; government 65%, industry and commerce 28% (1983) Organized labor: 60-70% of labor force :Netherlands Antilles Government:Netherlands Antilles Government Long-form name: none Digraph: political parties are indigenous to each island *** 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) Constitution: 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amended Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938) Executive branch: Dutch monarch, governor, prime minister, vice prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: legislature (Staten) Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice Leaders: Chief of State: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Jaime SALEH (since October 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Maria LIBERIA-PETERS (since 17 May 1988, previously served from September 1984 to November 1985) Political parties and leaders: political parties are indigenous to each island Bonaire: Patriotic Union of Bonaire (UPB), Rudy ELLIS; Democratic Party of Bonaire (PDB), Franklin CRESTIAN Curacao: National People's Party (PNP), Maria LIBERIA-PETERS; New Antilles Movement (MAN), Domenico Felip Don MARTINA; Workers' Liberation Front (FOL), Wilson (Papa) GODETT; Socialist Independent (SI), George HUECK and Nelson MONTE; Democratic Party of Curacao (DP), Augustin DIAZ; Nos Patria, Chin BEHILIA Saba: Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM Saba), Will JOHNSON; Saba Democratic Labor Movement, Vernon HASSELL; Saba Unity Party, Carmen SIMMONDS Sint Eustatius: Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius (DP-St.E), K. Van PUTTEN; Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM); St. Eustatius Alliance (SEA), Ralph BERKEL Sint Maarten: Democratic Party of Sint Maarten (DP-St.M), Claude WATHEY; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten (SPA), Vance JAMES Suffrage: universal at age 18 :Netherlands Antilles Government:Netherlands Antilles Government Elections: Staten: last held on 16 March 1990 (next to be held March 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (22 total) PNP 7, FOL-SI 3, UPB 3, MAN 2, DP-St. M 2, DP 1, SPM 1, WIPM 1, DP-St. E 1, Nos Patria 1; note - the government of Prime Minister Maria LIBERIA-PETERS is a coalition of several parties Member of: CARICOM (observer), ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WMO, WTO (associate) Diplomatic representation: as an autonomous part of the Netherlands, Netherlands Antillean interests in the US are represented by the Netherlands US: Consul General Sharon P. WILKINSON; Consulate General at Sint Anna Boulevard 19, Willemstad, Curacao (mailing address P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao); telephone [599] (9) 613066; FAX [599] (9) 616489 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:Netherlands Antilles Economy Overview: Tourism, petroleum refining, 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. Unlike many Latin American countries, the Netherlands Antilles has avoided large international debt. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US being the major supplier. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion, per capita $7,600; real growth rate 1.5% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 21% (1991) Budget: revenues $454 million; expenditures $525 million, including capital expenditures of $42 million (1989 est.) Exports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: petroleum products 98% partners: US 40%, Italy 6%, The Bahamas 5% Imports: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: crude petroleum 64%, food, manufactures partners: Venezuela 42%, US 18%, Netherlands 6% External debt: $701.2 million (December 1987) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 125,000 kW capacity; 365 million kWh produced, 1,985 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism (Curacao and Sint Maarten), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao) Agriculture: hampered by poor soils and scarcity of water; chief products - aloes, sorghum, peanuts, fresh vegetables, tropical fruit; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $513 million Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (plural - guilders, gulden, or florins); 1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (NAf.) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders, gulden, or florins (NAf.) per US$1 - 1.79 (fixed rate since 1989; 1.80 fixed rate 1971-88) Fiscal year: calendar year :Netherlands Antilles Communications:Netherlands Antilles Communications Highways: 950 km total; 300 km paved, 650 km gravel and earth Ports: Willemstad, Philipsburg, Kralendijk Merchant marine: 80 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 607,010 GRT/695,864 DWT; includes 4 passenger, 27 cargo, 13 refrigerated cargo, 7 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 11 multifunction large-load carrier, 4 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 1 bulk, 1 oil tanker; note - all but a few are foreign owned, mostly in the Netherlands Civil air: 8 major transport aircraft Airports: 7 total, 6 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: generally adequate facilities; extensive interisland radio relay links; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; 2 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Netherlands Antilles Defense Forces:Netherlands Antilles Defense Forces Branches: Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands Air Force, National Guard, Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49 49,082; 27,656 fit for military service; 1,673 reach military age (20) annually Note: defense is responsibility of the Netherlands :New Caledonia Geography:New Caledonia Geography Total area: 19,060 km2 Land area: 18,760 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: none Coastline: 2,254 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 14%; forest and woodland 51%; other 35% Environment: typhoons most frequent from November to March Note: located 1,750 km east of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean :New Caledonia People:New Caledonia People Population: 174,805 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992) Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - New Caledonian(s); adjective - New Caledonian Ethnic divisions: Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3.0% Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10% Languages: French; 28 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects Literacy: 91% (male 91%, female 90%) age 15 and over can read and write (1976) Labor force: 50,469; foreign workers for plantations and mines from Wallis and Futuna, Vanuatu, and French Polynesia (1980 est.) Organized labor: NA :New Caledonia Government:New Caledonia Government Long-form name: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies Type: overseas territory of France since 1956 Capital: Noumea Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Iles Loyaute, Nord, and Sud Independence: none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence will be held in 1998, with a review of the issue in 1992 Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands; formerly under French law National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: French President, high commissioner, Consultative Committee (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: High Commissioner and President of the Council of Government Alain CHRISTNACHT (since 15 January 1991) Suffrage: universal adult at age 18 Elections: Territorial Assembly: last held 11 June 1989 (next to be held 1993); results - RPCR 44.5%, FLNKS 28.5%, FN 7%, CD 5%, UO 4%, other 11%; seats - (54 total) RPCR 27, FLNKS 19, FN 3, other 5; note - election boycotted by FULK French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPCR 1 French National Assembly: last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - RPR 83.5%, FN 13.5%, other 3%; seats - (2 total) RPCR 2 Member of: FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO Diplomatic representation: as an overseas territory of France, New Caledonian interests are represented in the US by France Flag: the flag of France is used :New Caledonia Economy: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. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $1.0 billion, per capita $6,000 (1991 est.); real growth rate 2.4% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1989) Unemployment rate: 16.0% (1989) Budget: revenues $224.0 million; expenditures $211.0 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1985) Exports: $671 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: nickel metal 87%, nickel ore partners: France 52.3%, Japan 15.8%, US 6.4% Imports: $764 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: foods, fuels, minerals, machines, electrical equipment partners: France 44.0%, US 10%, Australia 9% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 400,000 kW capacity; 2,200 million kWh produced, 12,790 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: nickel mining Agriculture: large areas devoted to cattle grazing; coffee, corn, wheat, vegetables; 60% self-sufficient in beef Illicit drugs: illicit cannabis cultivation is becoming a principal source of income for some families Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4,185 million Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural - francs); 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais duPacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 97.81 (January 1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27 (1987); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year :New Caledonia Communications:New Caledonia Communications Highways: 6,340 km total; only about 10% paved (1987) Ports: Noumea, Nepoui, Poro, Thio Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 29 total, 27 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 32,578 telephones (1987); broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 7 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station :New Caledonia Defense Forces:New Caledonia Defense Forces Branches: Gendarmerie, Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 46,388; NA fit for military service Note: defense is the responsibility of France :New Zealand Geography:New Zealand Geography Total area: 268,680 km2 Land area: 268,670 km2; includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands Comparative area: about the size of Colorado Land boundaries: none Coastline: 15,134 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency) 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%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe :New Zealand People:New Zealand People Population: 3,347,369 (July 1992), growth rate 0.7% (1992) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 80 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - New Zealander(s); adjective - New Zealand Ethnic divisions: European 88%, Maori 8.9%, Pacific Islander 2.9%, other 0.2% Religions: Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 9% (1986) Languages: English (official), Maori Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970) Labor force: 1,603,500 (June 1991); services 67.4%, manufacturing 19.8%, primary production 9.3% (1987) Organized labor: 681,000 members; 43% of labor force (1986) :New Zealand Government:New Zealand Government Long-form name: none; abbreviated NZ Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Wellington Administrative divisions: 93 counties, 9 districts*, and 3 town districts**; Akaroa, Amuri, Ashburton, Bay of Islands, Bruce, Buller, Chatham Islands, Cheviot, Clifton, Clutha, Cook, Dannevirke, Egmont, Eketahuna, Ellesmere, Eltham, Eyre, Featherston, Franklin, Golden Bay, Great Barrier Island, Grey, Hauraki Plains, Hawera*, Hawke's Bay, Heathcote, Hikurangi**, Hobson, Hokianga, Horowhenua, Hurunui, Hutt, Inangahua, Inglewood, Kaikoura, Kairanga, Kiwitea, Lake, Mackenzie, Malvern, Manaia**, Manawatu, Mangonui, Maniototo, Marlborough, Masterton, Matamata, Mount Herbert, Ohinemuri, Opotiki, Oroua, Otamatea, Otorohanga*, Oxford, Pahiatua, Paparua, Patea, Piako, Pohangina, Raglan, Rangiora*, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua*, Runanga, Saint Kilda, Silverpeaks, Southland, Stewart Island, Stratford, Strathallan, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames-Coromandel*, Tuapeka, Vincent, Waiapu, Waiheke, Waihemo, Waikato, Waikohu, Waimairi, Waimarino, Waimate, Waimate West, Waimea, Waipa, Waipawa*, Waipukurau*, Wairarapa South, Wairewa, Wairoa, Waitaki, Waitomo*, Waitotara, Wallace, Wanganui, Waverley**, Westland, Whakatane*, Whangarei, Whangaroa, Woodville Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK) Constitution: no formal, written constitution; consists of various documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments; Constitution Act 1986 was to have come into force 1 January 1987, but has not been enacted Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau Legal system: based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty), 6 February (1840) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (commonly called Parliament) Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Catherine TIZARD (since 12 December 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister James BOLGER (since 29 October 1990); Deputy Prime Minister Donald McKINNON (since 2 November 1990) Political parties and leaders: National Party (NP; government), James BOLGER; New Zealand Labor Party (NZLP; opposition), Michael MOORE; NewLabor Party (NLP), Jim ANDERTON; Democratic Party, Dick RYAN; New Zealand Liberal Party, Hanmish MACINTYRE and Gilbert MYLES; Green Party, no official leader; Mana Motuhake, Martin RATA; Socialist Unity Party (SUP; pro-Soviet), Kenneth DOUGLAS; note - the New Labor, Democratic, and Mana Motuhake parties formed a coalition in September 1991; the Green Party joined the coalition in May 1992 :New Zealand Government:New Zealand Government Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives: last held on 27 October 1990 (next to be held October 1993); results - NP 49%, NZLP 35%, Green Party 7%, NLP 5%; seats - (97 total) NP 67, NZLP 29, NLP 1 Member of: ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, C, CCC, CP, COCOM, (cooperating country), EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, OECD, PCA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador - Denis Bazely Gordon McLEAN; Chancery at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-4800; there are New Zealand Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York US: Ambassador Della M. NEWMAN; Embassy at 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington (mailing address is P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP 96531-1001); telephone [64] (4) 722-068; FAX [64] (4) 723-537; there is a US Consulate General in Auckland Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation :New Zealand Economy:New Zealand Economy Overview: Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an agrarian economy dependent on a guaranteed British market to an open free market economy that can compete on the global scene. The government has hoped that dynamic growth would boost real incomes, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit the expansion of welfare benefits. The results have been mixed: inflation is down from double-digit levels, but growth has been sluggish and unemployment, always a highly sensitive issue, has exceeded 10% since May 1991. In 1988, GDP fell by 1%, in 1989 grew by a moderate 2.4%, and was flat in 1990-91. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $46.2 billion, per capita $14,000; real growth rate - 0.4% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.0% (1991) Unemployment rate: 10.7% (September 1991) Budget: revenues $17.6 billion; expenditures $18.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY91 est.) Exports: $9.4 billion (f.o.b., FY91) commodities: wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fruit, fish, cheese, manufactures, chemicals, forestry products partners: EC 18.3%, Japan 17.9%, Australia 17.5%, US 13.5%, China 3.6%, South Korea 3.1% Imports: $8.4 billion (f.o.b., FY91) commodities: petroleum, consumer goods, motor vehicles, industrial equipment partners: Australia 19.7%, Japan 16.9%, EC 16.9%, US 15.3%, Taiwan 3.0% External debt: $17.4 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate 1.9% (1990); accounts for about 20% of GDP Electricity: 7,800,000 kW capacity; 28,000 million kWh produced, 8,500 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining Agriculture: accounts for about 9% of GDP and 10% of the work force; livestock predominates - wool, meat, dairy products all export earners; crops - wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, and 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), $526 million Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural - dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.8245 (March 1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :New Zealand Communications:New Zealand Communications Railroads: 4,716 km total; all 1.067-meter gauge; 274 km double track; 113 km electrified; over 99% government owned Highways: 92,648 km total; 49,547 km paved, 43,101 km gravel or crushed stone Inland waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation Pipelines: natural gas 1,000 km; petroleum products 160 km; condensate 150 km Ports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, Tauranga Merchant marine: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 182,206 GRT/246,446 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 5 roll-on/roll-off, 1 railcar carrier, 4 oil tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 5 bulk Civil air: about 40 major transport aircraft Airports: 118 total, 118 usable; 34 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 43 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent international and domestic systems; 2,110,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 64 AM, 2 FM, 14 TV; submarine cables extend to Australia and Fiji; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :New Zealand Defense Forces:New Zealand Defense Forces Branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 874,703; 739,923 fit for military service; 30,297 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $792 million, 2% of GDP (FY92) :Nicaragua Geography:Nicaragua Geography Total area: 129,494 km2 Land area: 120,254 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than New York State Land boundaries: 1,231 km total; Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km Coastline: 910 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 25 nm security zone (status of claim uncertain) Continental shelf: not specified Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; unresolved maritime boundary in Golfo de Fonseca Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish Land use: arable land 9%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 43%; forest and woodland 35%; other 12%; including irrigated 1% Environment: subject to destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasional severe hurricanes; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution :Nicaragua People:Nicaragua People Population: 3,878,150 (July 1992), growth rate 2.8% (1992) Birth rate: 37 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 57 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 66 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Nicaraguan(s); adjective - Nicaraguan Ethnic divisions: mestizo 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Indian 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5% Languages: Spanish (official); English- and Indian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coast Literacy: 57% (male 57%, female 57%) age 15 and over can read and write (1971) Labor force: 1,086,000; service 43%, agriculture 44%, industry 13% (1986) Organized labor: 35% of labor force :Nicaragua Government:Nicaragua Government Long-form name: Republic of Nicaragua Type: republic Capital: Managua Administrative divisions: 9 administrative regions encompassing 17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, North Atlantic Coast Autonomous Zone (RAAN), Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, South Atlantic Coast Autonomous Zone (RAAS) Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Constitution: January 1987 Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) and municipal courts Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (since 25 April 1990); Vice President Virgilio GODOY (since 25 April 1990) Political parties and leaders: ruling coalition: National Opposition Union (UNO) is a 14-party alliance - National Conservative Party (PNC), Silviano MATAMOROS; Conservative Popular Alliance Party (PAPC), Myriam ARGUELLO; National Conservative Action Party (PANC), Hernaldo ZUNIGA; National Democratic Confidence Party (PDCN), Augustin JARQUIN; Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Wilfredo NAVARRO; Neo-Liberal Party (PALI), Andres ZUNIGA; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Jose Ernesto SOMARRIBA; National Action Party (PAN), Eduardo RIVAS; Nicaraguan Socialist Party (PSN), Gustavo TABLADA; Communist Party of Nicaragua (PCdeN), Eli ALTIMIRANO; Popular Social Christian Party (PPSC), Luis Humberto GUZMAN; Nicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN), Roberto URROZ; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Guillermo POTOY; Central American Integrationist Party (PIAC), Alejandro PEREZ opposition parties: Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel ORTEGA; Central American Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca ROJAS; Democratic Conservative Party of Nicaragua (PCDN), Jose BRENES; Liberal Party of National Unity (PLUIN), Eduardo CORONADO; Movement of Revolutionary Unity (MUR), Francisco SAMPER; Social Christian Party (PSC), Erick RAMIREZ; Revolutionary Workers' Party (PRT), Bonifacio MIRANDA; Social Conservative Party (PSOC), Fernando AGUERRO; Popular Action Movement - Marxist-Leninist (MAP-ML), Isidro TELLEZ; Popular Social Christian Party (PPSC), Mauricio DIAZ Suffrage: universal at age 16 :Nicaragua Government:Nicaragua Government Elections: President: last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held February 1996); results - Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (UNO) 54.7%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 40.8%, other 4.5% National Assembly: last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held February 1996); results - UNO 53.9%, FSLN 40.8%, PSC 1.6%, MUR 1.0%; seats - (92 total) UNO 51, FSLN 39, PSC 1, MUR 1 Communists: 15,000-20,000 Other political or pressure groups: National Workers Front (FNT) is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions: Sandinista Workers' Central (CST), Farm Workers Association (ATC), Health Workers Federation (FETASALUD), National Union of Employees (UNE), National Association of Educators of Nicaragua (ANDEN), Union of Journalists of Nicaragua (UPN), Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations (CONAPRO), and the National Union of Farmers and Ranchers (UNAG); Permanent Congress of Workers (CPT) is an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions: Confederation of Labor Unification (CUS), Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN-A), Independent General Confederation of Labor (CGT-I), and Labor Action and Unity Central (CAUS); Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN) is an independent labor union; Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) is a confederation of business groups Member of: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ernesto PALAZIO; Chancery at 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 939-6570 US: Ambassador Harry W. SHLAUDEMAN; Embassy at Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managua (mailing address is APO AA 34021); telephone [505] (2) 666010 or 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:Nicaragua Economy Overview: Government control of the economy historically has been extensive, although the CHAMORRO government has pledged to greatly reduce intervention. Four private banks have been licensed, and the government has liberalized foreign trade and abolished price controls on most goods. Over 50% of the agricultural and industrial firms remain state owned. Sandinista economic policies and the war had produced a severe economic crisis. The foundation of the economy continues to be the export of agricultural commodities, largely coffee and cotton. Farm production fell by roughly 7% in 1989 and 4% in 1990, and remained about even in 1991. The agricultural sector employs 44% of the work force and accounts for 15% of GDP and 80% of export earnings. Industry, which employs 13% of the work force and contributes about 25% to GDP, showed a drop of 7% in 1989, fell slightly in 1990, and remained flat in 1991; output still is below pre-1979 levels. External debt is one of the highest in the world on a per capita basis. In 1991 the inflation rate was 766%, down sharply from the 13,490% of 1990. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.6 billion, per capita $425; real growth rate -1.0% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 766% (1991) Unemployment rate: 13%; underemployment 50% (1991) Budget: revenues $347 million; expenditures $499 million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (1991) Exports: $342 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: coffee, cotton, sugar, bananas, seafood, meat, chemicals partners: OECD 75%, USSR and Eastern Europe 15%, other 10% Imports: $738 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: petroleum, food, chemicals, machinery, clothing partners: Latin America 30%, US 25%, EC 20%, USSR and Eastern Europe 10%, other 15% (1990 est.) External debt: $10 billion (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate NA; accounts for about 25% of GDP Electricity: 423,000 kW capacity; 1,409 million kWh produced, 376 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP and 44% of work force; cash crops - coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton; food crops - rice, corn, cassava, citrus fruit, beans; variety of animal products - beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy; normally self-sufficient in food Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $294 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,381 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $3.5 billion Currency: cordoba (plural - cordobas); 1 cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos :Nicaragua Economy:Nicaragua Economy Exchange rates: cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 25,000,000 (March 1992), 21,354,000 (1991), 15,655 (1989), 270 (1988), 102.60 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Nicaragua Communications:Nicaragua Communications Railroads: 373 km 1.067-meter narrow gauge, government owned; majority of system not operating; 3 km 1.435-meter gauge line at Puerto Cabezas (does not connect with mainline) Highways: 25,930 km total; 4,000 km paved, 2,170 km gravel or crushed stone, 5,425 km earth or graded earth, 14,335 km unimproved; Pan-American highway 368.5 km Inland waterways: 2,220 km, including 2 large lakes Pipelines: crude oil 56 km Ports: Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,161 GRT/2,500 DWT Civil air: 9 major transport aircraft Airports: 228 total, 155 usable; 11 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: low-capacity radio relay and wire system being expanded; connection into Central American Microwave System; 60,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 45 AM, no FM, 7 TV, 3 shortwave; earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT :Nicaragua Defense Forces:Nicaragua Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 878,066; 541,090 fit for military service; 42,997 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $70 million, 3.8% of GDP (1991 budget) :Niger Geography:Niger Geography Total area: 1,267,000 km2 Land area: 1,266,700 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: 5,697 km total; Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: Libya claims about 19,400 km2 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%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: recurrent drought and desertification severely affecting marginal agricultural activities; overgrazing; soil erosion Note: landlocked :Niger People:Niger People Population: 8,052,945 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992) Birth rate: 58 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 23 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 115 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 42 years male, 45 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Nigerien(s); adjective - Nigerien Ethnic divisions: Hausa 56%; Djerma 22%; Fula 8.5%; Tuareg 8%; Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%; Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%; about 4,000 French expatriates Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians Languages: French (official); Hausa, Djerma Literacy: 28% (male 40%, female 17%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,500,000 wage earners (1982); agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%; 51% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: negligible :Niger Government:Niger Government Long-form name: Republic of Niger Type: as of November 1991, transition government appointed by national reform conference; scheduled to turn over power to democratically elected government in January 1993 Capital: Niamey Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements, singular - departement); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua, Zinder Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France) Constitution: December 1989 constitution revised November 1991 by National Democratic Reform Conference Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958) Executive branch: president (ceremonial), prime minister (interim), Cabinet Legislative branch: National Assembly Judicial branch: State Court (Cour d'Etat), Court of Appeal (Cour d'Apel) Leaders: Chief of State: President Brig. Gen. Ali SAIBOU (since 14 November 1987); ceremonial post since national conference (1991) Head of Government: Interim Prime Minister Amadou CHEIFFOU (since November 1991) Political parties and leaders: National Movement of the Development Society (MNSD-NASSARA), Tanda MAMADOU; Niger Progressive Party - African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA), Harou KOUKA; Union of Popular Forces for Democracy and Progress (UDFP-SAWABA), Djibo BAKARY; Niger Democratic Union (UDN-SAWABA), Mamoudou PASCAL; Union of Patriots, Democrats, and Progressives (UPDP), Andre SALIFOU; Niger Social Democrat Party (PSDN-ALHERI), Mallam Adji WAZIRI; Niger Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-TARAYA), Issoufou MAHAMADOU; Democratic and Social Convention (CDS-RAHAMA), Mahamane OUSMANE; Union for Democracy and Progress (UDP), Bello TCHIOUSSO; Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS-AMANA), Akoli DAOUEL; Masses Union for Democratic Action (UMAD-AIKI), Belko GARBA; Worker's Liberation Party (PLT), Idi Ango OUMAROU; Convention for Social Rehabilitation (CRS), Abdoul Karim SEYNI; Popular Movement for Democracy in Niger (MPDN), Abdou SANDA; Popular Front for National Liberation (FPLN), Diallo SABO; Republican Party for Freedom and Progress in Niger (PRLPN), Alka ALMOU; other parties forming Suffrage: universal adult at age 18 Elections: President: President Ali SAIBOU has been in office since December 1989, but the presidency is now a largely ceremonial position :Niger Government:Niger Government National Assembly: last held 10 December 1989 (next to be held NA); results - MNSD was the only party; seats - (150 total) MNSD 150 (indirectly elected); note - Niger held a national conference from July to November 1991 to decide upon a transitional government and an agenda for multiparty elections Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE; Chancery at 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-4224 through 4227 US: Ambassador Jennifer C. WARD; Embassy at Avenue des Ambassades, Niamey (mailing address is B. P. 11201, Niamey); telephone [227] 72-26-61 through 64 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:Niger Economy Overview: About 90% of the population is engaged in farming and stock raising, activities that generate almost half the national income. The economy also depends heavily on exploitation of large uranium deposits. Uranium production grew rapidly in the mid-1970s, but tapered off in the early 1980s when world prices declined. France is a major customer, while Germany, Japan, and Spain also make regular purchases. The depressed demand for uranium has contributed to an overall sluggishness in the economy, a severe trade imbalance, and a mounting external debt. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, per capita $300; real growth rate -3.4% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $220 million; expenditures $446 million, including capital expenditures of $190 million (FY89 est.) Exports: $320 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: uranium 75%, livestock products, cowpeas, onions partners: France 65%, Nigeria 11%, Ivory Coast, Italy Imports: $439 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: petroleum products, primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts, electronic equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemical products, cereals, foodstuffs partners: France 32%, Ivory Coast 11%, Germany 5%, Italy 4%, Nigeria 4% External debt: $1.8 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1989); accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity: 105,000 kW capacity; 230 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses, and a few other small light industries; uranium production 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: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $380 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3,165 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $504 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $61 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) :Niger Economy:Niger Economy Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September :Niger Communications:Niger Communications Highways: 39,970 km total; 3,170 km bituminous, 10,330 km gravel and laterite, 3,470 km earthen, 23,000 km tracks Inland waterways: Niger River is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin frontier from mid-December through March Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 29 total, 27 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 13 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: small system of wire, radiocommunications, and radio relay links concentrated in southwestern area; 14,260 telephones; broadcast stations - 15 AM, 5 FM, 18 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 3 domestic, with 1 planned :Niger Defense Forces:Niger Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican National Guard, National police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,724,293; 928,177 fit for military service; 83,528 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $27 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989) :Nigeria Geography:Nigeria Geography Total area: 923,770 km2 Land area: 910,770 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: 4,047 km total; Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km Coastline: 853 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 30 nm Disputes: 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; boundary commission created with Cameroon to discuss unresolved land and maritime boundaries - has not yet convened Climate: varies - equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north Natural resources: crude oil, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, natural gas Land use: arable land 31%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 23%; forest and woodland 15%; other 28%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: recent droughts in north severely affecting marginal agricultural activities; desertification; soil degradation, rapid deforestation :Nigeria People:Nigeria People Population: 126,274,589 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992); note - a new population figure of 88.5 million is in the process of being incorporated into revised Census Bureau figures (April 1992) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 110 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 48 years male, 50 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Nigerian(s); adjective - Nigerian Ethnic divisions: more than 250 tribal groups; Hausa and Fulani of the north, Yoruba of the southwest, and Ibos of the southeast make up 65% of the population; about 27,000 non-Africans Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10% Languages: English (official); Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani, and several other languages also widely used Literacy: 51% (male 62%, female 40%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 42,844,000; agriculture 54%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 15%; 49% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: 3,520,000 wage earners belong to 42 recognized trade unions, which come under a single national labor federation - the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) :Nigeria Government:Nigeria Government Long-form name: Federal Republic of Nigeria Type: military government since 31 December 1983 Capital: Abuja; note - on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially moved from Lagos to Abuja; many government offices remain in Lagos pending completion of facilities in Abuja Administrative divisions: 30 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Capital Territory*, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK) Constitution: 1 October 1979, amended 9 February 1984, revised 1989 Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and tribal law National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960) Executive branch: president of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, Armed Forces Ruling Council, National Council of State, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: National Assembly was dissolved after the military coup of 31 December 1983 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Federal Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces Gen. Ibrahim BABANGIDA (since 27 August 1985) Political parties and leaders: two political parties established by the government in 1989 - Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC) Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President: first presidential elections since the 31 December 1983 coup scheduled for late 1992 National Assembly: first elections since it was dissolved after the 31 December 1983 coup scheduled for 4 July 1992 Communists: the pro-Communist underground consists of a small fraction of the Nigerian left; leftist leaders are prominent in the country's central labor organization but have little influence on the government Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMO, IMF, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Zubair Mahmud KAZAURE; Chancery at 2201 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 822-1500; there is a Nigerian Consulate General in New York :Nigeria Government:Nigeria Government US: Ambassador Lannon WALKER; Embassy at 2 Eleke Crescent, Lagos (mailing address is P. O. Box 554, Lagos); telephone [234] (1) 610097; FAX [234] (1) 610257; there is a US Consulate General in Kaduna; note - the US Government has requested Nigerian Government permission to open an Embassy Branch Office in Abuja; the US Embassy will remain in Lagos until a later date, when the Branch Office in Abuja will become the Embassy and the Embassy in Lagos will become a Consulate General Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green :Nigeria Economy:Nigeria Economy Overview: Although Nigeria is Africa's leading oil-producing country, it remains poor with a $250 per capita GDP. In 1991 massive government spending, much of it to help ensure a smooth transition to civilian rule, ballooned the budget deficit and caused inflation and interest rates to rise. The lack of fiscal discipline forced the IMF to declare Nigeria not in compliance with an 18-month standby facility started in January 1991. Lagos has set ambitious targets for expanding oil production capacity and is offering foreign companies more attractive investment incentives. Government efforts to reduce Nigeria's dependence on oil exports and to sustain noninflationary growth, however, have fallen short because of inadequate new investment funds and endemic corruption. Living standards continue to deteriorate from the higher level of the early 1980s oil boom. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $30 billion, per capita $250; real growth rate 5.2% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 40% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $10 billion; expenditures $10 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.) Exports: $13.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: oil 95%, cocoa, rubber partners: EC 51%, US 32% Imports: $6.9 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: consumer goods, capital equipment, chemicals, raw materials partners: EC, US External debt: $32 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.2% (1990); accounts for 8.5% of GDP Electricity: 4,740,000 kW capacity; 11,280 million kWh produced, 90 kWh per capita (1991) 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 32% of GDP and half of labor force; inefficient small-scale farming dominates; once a large net exporter of food and now an importer; 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: illicit heroin and some cocaine trafficking; marijuana cultivation for domestic consumption and export; major transit country for heroin en route from southeast and southwest Asia via Africa to Western Europe and the US; growing transit route for cocaine from South America via West Africa to Western Europe and the US :Nigeria Economy:Nigeria Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $705 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.0 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.2 billion Currency: naira (plural - naira); 1 naira (N) = 100 kobo Exchange rates: naira (N) per US$1 - 10.226 (February 1992), 9.909 (1991), 8.038 (1990), 7.3647 (1989), 4.5370 (1988), 4.0160 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Nigeria Communications:Nigeria Communications Railroads: 3,505 km 1.067-meter gauge Highways: 107,990 km total 30,019 km paved (mostly bituminous-surface treatment); 25,411 km laterite, gravel, crushed stone, improved earth; 52,560 km unimproved Inland waterways: 8,575 km consisting of Niger and Benue Rivers and smaller rivers and creeks Pipelines: crude oil 2,042 km; natural gas 500 km; petroleum products 3,000 km Ports: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Onne, Sapele Merchant marine: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 418,046 GRT/664,949 DWT; includes 17 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 7 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 bulk Civil air: 57 major transport aircraft Airports: 76 total, 64 usable; 33 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 15 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: above-average system limited by poor maintenance; major expansion in progress; radio relay and cable routes; broadcast stations - 35 AM, 17 FM, 28 TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 20 domestic stations; 1 coaxial submarine cable :Nigeria Defense Forces:Nigeria Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 28,778,532; 16,451,582 fit for military service; 1,256,440 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $300 million, 1% of GDP (1990 est.) \ :Niue Geography:Niue Geography Total area: 260 km2 Land area: 260 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 64 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: subject to typhoons Note: one of world's largest coral islands; located about 460 km east of Tonga :Niue People:Niue People Population: 1,751 (July 1992), growth rate - 6.4% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Niuean(s); adjective - Niuean Ethnic divisions: Polynesian, with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and Tongans Religions: Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church) - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society 75%, Mormon 10%, Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist 5% Languages: Polynesian tongue closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education age 5 to 14 Labor force: 1,000 (1981 est.); most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board Organized labor: NA :Niue Government:Niue Government Long-form name: none Type: self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs Capital: Alofi Administrative divisions: none Independence: became a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand on 19 October 1974 Constitution: 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act) Legal system: English common law National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty), 6 February (1840) Executive branch: British monarch, premier, Cabinet Legislative branch: Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Appeal Court of New Zealand, High Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by New Zealand Representative John SPRINGFORD (since 1974) Head of Government: Premier Sir Robert R. REX (since October 1974) Political parties and leaders: Niue Island Party (NIP), Young VIVIAN Suffrage: universal adult at age 18 Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held on 8 April 1990 (next to be held March 1993); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (20 total, 6 elected) NIP 1, independents 5 Member of: ESCAP (associate), SPC, SPF Diplomatic representation: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Flag: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross :Niue Economy: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. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $2.1 million, per capita $1,000; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.6% (1984) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $5.5 million; expenditures $6.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY85 est.) Exports: $175,274 (f.o.b., 1985) commodities: canned coconut cream, copra, honey, passion fruit products, pawpaw, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts partners: NZ 89%, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia Imports: $3.8 million (c.i.f., 1985) commodities: food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs partners: NZ 59%, Fiji 20%, Japan 13%, Western Samoa, Australia, US External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 1,500 kW capacity; 3 million kWh produced, 1,490 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourist, handicrafts Agriculture: copra, coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes; subsistence crops - taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $62 million Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural - dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.8245 (March 1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Niue Communications:Niue Communications Highways: 123 km all-weather roads, 106 km access and plantation roads Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway of 1,650 m Telecommunications: single-line telephone system connects all villages on island; 383 telephones; 1,000 radio receivers (1987 est.); broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, no TV :Niue Defense Forces:Niue Defense Forces Branches: Police Force Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand :Norfolk Island Geography:Norfolk Island Geography Total area: 34.6 km2 Land area: 34.6 km2 Comparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 32 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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% Environment: subject to typhoons (especially May to July) Note: located 1,575 km east of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean :Norfolk Island People:Norfolk Island People Population: 2,620 (July 1992), growth rate 1.7% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Norfolk Islander(s); adjective - Norfolk Islander(s) Ethnic divisions: descendants of the Bounty mutiny; more recently, Australian and New Zealand settlers Religions: Anglican 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia 16.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.4%, none 9.2%, unknown 16.9%, other 2.4% (1986) Languages: English (official) and Norfolk - a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA :Norfolk Island Government:Norfolk Island Government Long-form name: Territory of Norfolk Island Type: territory of Australia Capital: Kingston (administrative center), Burnt Pine (commercial center) Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1957 Legal system: wide legislative and executive responsibility under the Norfolk Island Act of 1979; Supreme Court National holiday: Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Administrator H. B. MACDONALD (since NA 1989), who is appointed by the Governor General of Australia Head of Government: Assembly President and Chief Minister John Terence BROWN (since NA) Political parties and leaders: NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held 1989 (held every three years); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) percent of seats by party NA Member of: none 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: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 FY89. Revenues from tourism have given the island a favorable balance of trade and helped the agricultural sector to become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $4.2 million, including capital expenditures of $400,000 (FY89) Exports: $1.7 million (f.o.b., FY86) commodities: postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia Palm, small quantities of avocados partners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe Imports: $15.6 million (c.i.f., FY86) commodities: NA partners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe External debt: NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 7,000 kW capacity; 8 million kWh produced, 3,160 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism Agriculture: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit, cattle, poultry Economic aid: none Currency: Australian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3177 (March 1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Norfolk Island Communications:Norfolk Island Communications Highways: 80 km of roads, including 53 km paved; remainder are earth formed or coral surfaced Ports: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m (Australian owned) Telecommunications: 1,500 radio receivers (1982); radio link service with Sydney; 987 telephones (1983); broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV :Norfolk Island Defense Forces:Norfolk Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia :Northern Mariana Islands Geography:Northern Mariana Islands Geography Total area: 477 km2 Land area: 477 km2; comprises 16 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian Comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,482 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to July, rainy season July to October Terrain: southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic; highest elevation is 471 meters (Mt. Tagpochu on Saipan) Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures 19%; forest and woodland NA%; other NA% Environment: active volcanos on Pagan and Agrihan; subject to typhoons during the rainy season Note: strategic location 5,635 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and the Philippines :Northern Mariana Islands People:Northern Mariana Islands People Population: 47,168 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992) Birth rate: 35 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 38 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 69 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: undetermined Ethnic divisions: Chamorro majority; Carolinians and other Micronesians; Spanish, German, Japanese admixtures Religions: Christian with a Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found Languages: English, but Chamorro and Carolinian are also spoken in the home and taught in school Literacy: 96% (male 97%, female 96%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 12,788 local; 18,799 foreign workers (1990 est.) Organized labor: NA :Northern Mariana Islands Government:Northern Mariana Islands Government Long-form name: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Type: commonwealth in political union with the US and administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior Capital: Saipan Administrative divisions: none Independence: none (commonwealth in political union with the US) Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 Legal system: based on US system except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Executive branch: US President; governor, lieutenant governor Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Commonwealth Court and the Federal District Court Leaders: Chief of State: President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since 20 January 1989) Head of Government: Governor Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO (since 9 January 1990); Lieutenant Governor Benjamin T. MANGLONA (since 9 January 1990) Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Alonzo IGISOMAR; Democratic Party, Felicidad OGUMORO Suffrage: universal at age 18; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Elections: Governor: last held in November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results - Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO, Republican Party, was elected governor Senate: last held on November 1991 (next to be held November 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) Republications 6, Democrats 3 House of Representatives: last held in November 1991 (next to be held November 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) Republicans 5, Democrats 10 US House of Representatives: the Commonwealth does not have a nonvoting delegate in Congress; instead, it has an elected official ``resident representative'' located in Washington, DC; seats - (1 total) Republican (Juan N. BABAUTA) Member of: ESCAP (associate), SPC Diplomatic representation: none 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:Northern Mariana Islands Economy Overview: The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. An agreement for the years 1986 to 1992 entitles the islands to $228 million for capital development, government operations, and special programs. Another major source of income is the tourist industry, which employs about 10% of the work force. Japanese tourists predominate. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Industry is small scale in nature - mostly handicrafts and fish processing. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $165 million, per capita $3,498; real growth rate NA% (1982); note - GNP numbers reflect US spending Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $112.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (February 1990) Exports: $153.9 million (1989) commodities: manufactured goods, garments, vegetables, beef, pork partners: NA Imports: $313.7 million, a 43% increase over previous year (1989) commodities: NA partners: NA External debt: none Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 25,000 kW capacity; 35 million kWh produced, 740 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts Agriculture: coffee, coconuts, fruits, tobacco, cattle Economic aid: none Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September :Northern Mariana Islands Communications:Northern Mariana Islands Communications Highways: 381.5 km total (134.5 km first-grade primary, 55 km secondary, 192 km local) (1991) Ports: Saipan, Rota, Tinian Airports: 6 total, 4 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM (1984), 1 TV; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Northern Mariana Islands Defense Forces:Northern Mariana Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Norway Geography:Norway Geography Total area: 324,220 km2 Land area: 307,860 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: 2,515 km total; Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 167 km Coastline: 21,925 km; includes mainland 3,419 km, large islands 2,413 km, long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 16,093 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 10 nm Continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 4 nm Disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land); Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims between Greenland and Jan Mayen; maritime boundary dispute with Russia over portion of Barents Sea Climate: temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior; rainy year-round on west coast Terrain: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north Natural resources: crude oil, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 27%; other 70%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: air and water pollution; acid rain; note - strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world; Norway and Turkey only NATO members having a land boundary with Russia :Norway People:Norway People Population: 4,294,876 (July 1992), growth rate 0.5% (1992) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Norwegian(s); adjective - Norwegian Ethnic divisions: Germanic (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic) and racial-cultural minority of 20,000 Lapps Religions: Evangelical Lutheran (state church) 87.8%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3.8%, none 3.2%, unknown 5.2% (1980) Languages: Norwegian (official); small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.) Labor force: 2,167,000 (September 1990); services 34.7%, commerce 18%, mining and manufacturing 16.6%, banking and financial services 7.5%, transportation and communications 7.2%, construction 7.2%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 6.4% (1989) Organized labor: 66% of labor force (1985) :Norway Government:Norway Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Norway Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Oslo Administrative divisions: 19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, OCstfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold Independence: 26 October 1905 (from Sweden) Constitution: 17 May 1814, modified in 1884 Dependent areas: Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard 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 National holiday: Constitution Day, 17 May (1814) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, State Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Storting) with an Upper Chamber (Lagting) and a Lower Chamber (Odelsting) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Hoiesterett) Leaders: Chief of State: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS (born 20 July 1973) Head of Government: Prime Minister Gro Harlem BRUNDTLAND (since 3 November 1990) Political parties and leaders: Labor, Gro Harlem BRUNDTLAND; Conservative, Kaci Kullmann FIVE; Center Party, Anne Enger LAHNSTEIN; Christian People's, Kjell Magne BONDEVIK; Socialist Left, Erick SOLHEIM; Norwegian Communist, Kare Andre NILSEN; Progress, Carl I. HAGEN; Liberal, Odd Einar DORUM; Finnmark List, leader NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Storting: last held on 11 September 1989 (next to be held 6 September 1993); results - Labor 34.3%, Conservative 22.2%, Progress 13.0%, Socialist Left 10.1%, Christian People's 8.5%, Center Party 6.6%, Finnmark List 0.3%, other 5%; seats - (165 total) Labor 63, Conservative 37, Progress 22, Socialist Left 17, Christian People's 14, Center Party 11, Finnmark List 1 Communists: 15,500 est.; 5,500 Norwegian Communist Party (NKP); 10,000 Workers Communist Party Marxist-Leninist (AKP-ML, pro-Chinese) Member of: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, PCA, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC :Norway Government:Norway Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Kjeld VIBE; Chancery at 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 333-6000; there are Norwegian Consulates General in Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco, and Consulates in Miami and New Orleans US: Ambassador Loret Miller RUPPE; Embassy at Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo 2 (mailing address is APO AE 09707); telephone [47] (2) 44-85-50; FAX [47] (2) 43-07-77 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: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 agricultural, fishing, and other sectors. 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. 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 an expansionary 1992 budget. Forecasters predict that economic growth will rise slightly in 1992 because of public-sector expansion and moderate improvements in private investment and demand. Inflation will remain about 3%, while unemployment continues at record levels of over 5% because of the weakness of the economy outside the oil sector. Oslo, a member of the European Free Trade Area, is continuing to deregulate and harmonize with EC regulations to prepare for the European Economic Area (EEA) - which creates a EC/EFTA market with free movement of capital, goods, services, and labor - which takes effect in 1993. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $72.9 billion, per capita $17,100; real growth rate 4.1% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (1991) Unemployment rate: 5.4% (1991, excluding people in job-training programs) Budget: revenues $47.9 billion; expenditures $52.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991) Exports: $34.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 36.5%, natural gas 7.5%, fish 7%, aluminum 6%, ships 6.2%, pulp and paper partners: EC 66.5%, Nordic countries 19.5%, developing countries 7.8%, US 4.6%, Japan 1.9% (1991) Imports: $25.1 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery, fuels and lubricants, transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, clothing, ships partners: EC 46.8%, Nordic countries 26.1%, developing countries 12.3%, US 7.8%, Japan 4.7% (1991) External debt: $10.2 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 4.7% (1991) Electricity: 26,735,000 kW capacity; 121,685 million kWh produced, 28,950 kWh per capita (1991) :Norway Economy:Norway Economy Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 2.8% of GDP and 6.4% of labor force; among world's top 10 fishing nations; livestock output exceeds value of crops; over half of food needs imported; fish catch of 1.76 million metric tons in 1989 Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $4.4 billion Currency: Norwegian krone (plural - kroner); 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 re Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.1956 (January 1992), 6.4829 (1991), 6.2597 (1990), 6.9045 (1989), 6.5170 (1988), 6.7375 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Norway Communications:Norway Communications Railroads: 4,223 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; Norwegian State Railways (NSB) operates 4,219 km (2,450 km electrified and 96 km double track); 4 km other Highways: 79,540 km total; 38,580 km paved; 40,960 km gravel, crushed stone, and earth Inland waterways: 1,577 km along west coast; 2.4 m draft vessels maximum Pipelines: refined products 53 km Ports: Oslo, Bergen, Fredrikstad, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Trondheim Merchant marine: 864 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,978,202 GRT/40,128,177 DWT; includes 12 passenger, 20 short-sea passenger, 118 cargo, 2 passenger-cargo, 19 refrigerated cargo, 16 container, 49 roll-on/roll-off, 22 vehicle carrier, 1 railcar carrier, 180 oil tanker, 93 chemical tanker, 83 liquefied gas, 28 combination ore/oil, 211 bulk, 10 combination bulk; note - the government has created a captive register, the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS), as a subset of the Norwegian register; ships on the NIS enjoy many benefits of flags of convenience and do not have to be crewed by Norwegians; the majority of ships (777) under the Norwegian flag are now registered with the NIS Civil air: 76 major transport aircraft Airports: 103 total, 102 usable; 64 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 16 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: high-quality domestic and international telephone, telegraph, and telex services; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 3,102,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 46 AM, 350 private and 143 government FM, 54 (2,100 repeaters) TV; 4 coaxial submarine cables; 3 communications satellite earth stations operating in the EUTELSAT, INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean), MARISAT, and domestic systems :Norway Defense Forces:Norway Defense Forces Branches: Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Home Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,129,871; 944,290 fit for military service; 33,175 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.8 billion, 3.8% of GDP (1991) :Oman Geography:Oman Geography Total area: 212,460 km2 Land area: 212,460 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Kansas Land boundaries: 1,374 km total; Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km Coastline: 2,092 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: to be defined Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: no defined boundary with most of UAE; Administrative Line with UAE in far north; there is a proposed treaty with Yemen (which has not yet been formally accepted) to settle the Omani-Yemeni boundary Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south Terrain: vast central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south Natural resources: crude oil, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas Land use: arable land NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 5%; forest and woodland NEGL%; other 95%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and duststorms in interior; sparse natural freshwater resources Note: strategic location with small foothold on Musandam Peninsula controlling Strait of Hormuz (17% of world's oil production transits this point going from Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea) :Oman People:Oman People Population: 1,587,581 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992) Birth rate: 41 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 40 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 69 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Omani(s); adjective - Omani Ethnic divisions: mostly Arab, with small Balochi, Zanzibari, and South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) groups Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%; remainder Sunni Muslim, Shi`a Muslim, some Hindu Languages: Arabic (official); English, Balochi, Urdu, Indian dialects Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 430,000; agriculture 60% (est.); 58% are non-Omani Organized labor: trade unions are illegal :Oman Government:Oman Government Long-form name: Sultanate of Oman Type: absolute monarchy; independent, with residual UK influence Capital: Muscat Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 governorates (muhafazah, singular - muhafazat); Musqat, Musandam, Zufar Independence: 1650, expulsion of the Portuguese Constitution: none Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the sultan; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 18 November Executive branch: sultan, Cabinet Legislative branch: National Assembly Judicial branch: none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascent civil court system Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Sa`id Al Sa`id (since 23 July 1970) Suffrage: none Elections: elections scheduled for October 1992 Other political or pressure groups: outlawed Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman (PFLO), based in Yemen Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Awadh bin Badr AL-SHANFARI; Chancery at 2342 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 387-1980 through 1982 US: Ambassador Richard W. BOEHM; Embassy at address NA, Muscat (mailing address is P. O. Box 50202 Madinat Qaboos, Muscat); telephone [968] 698-989; FAX [968] 604-316 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:Oman Economy Overview: Economic performance is closely tied to the fortunes of the oil industry. Petroleum accounts for more than 90% 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. Although agriculture employs a majority of the population, urban centers depend on imported food. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $10.6 billion, per capita $6,925 (1990); real growth rate 0.5% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $4.9 billion; expenditures $4.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $825 million (1990) Exports: $5.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: petroleum, reexports, fish, processed copper, fruits and vegetables partners: Japan 35%, South Korea 21%, Singapore 7%, US 6% Imports: $2.5 billion (f.o.b, 1990) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants partners: UK 20%, UAE 20%, Japan 17%, US 7% External debt: $3.1 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 10% (1989), including petroleum sector Electricity: 1,120,000 kW capacity; 5,000 million kWh produced, 3,800 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper Agriculture: accounts for 6% of GDP and 60% 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: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $137 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $148 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $797 million Currency: Omani rial (plural - rials); 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 Communications:Oman Communications Highways: 26,000 km total; 6,000 km paved, 20,000 km motorable track Pipelines: crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km Ports: Mina' Qabus, Mina' Raysut Merchant marine: 1 passenger ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,442 GRT/1,320 DWT Civil air: 19 major transport aircraft Airports: 134 total, 127 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 8 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 73 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system of open-wire, microwave, and radio communications stations; limited coaxial cable 50,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 7 TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT, and 8 domestic :Oman Defense Forces:Oman Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Royal Oman Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 359,394; 204,006 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.73 billion, 16% of GDP (1992 budget) :Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Geography:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Geography Total area: 458 km2 Land area: 458 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,519 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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% Environment: subject to typhoons from June to December; archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain Note: important location 850 km southeast of the Philippines; includes World War II battleground of Peleliu and world-famous rock islands :Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the People:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the People Population: 15,775 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992) Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 25 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 73 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Palauan(s); adjective - Palauan Ethnic divisions: Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan, and Melanesian races Religions: predominantly Christian, including Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day Saints; a third of the population observes the Modekngei religion, indigenous to Palau Languages: English is an official language, though Palauan is also official in 13 of Palau's 16 states, and Tobi and Sonsorolese are official in the 3 other states Literacy: 92% (male 93%, female 91%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA :Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Government:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Government Long-form name: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (no short-form name); may change to Republic of Palau after independence; note - Belau, the native form of Palau, is sometimes used Type: UN trusteeship administered by the US; constitutional government signed a Compact of Free Association with the US on 10 January 1986, which was never approved in a series of UN-observed plebiscites; until the UN trusteeship is terminated with entry into force of the Compact, Palau remains under US administration as the Palau District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Capital: Koror; a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern Babelthuap Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngerchelong, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi Independence: still part of the US-administered UN trusteeship (the last polity remaining under the trusteeship; the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas have left); administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of Interior Constitution: 1 January 1981 Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979) Executive branch: US president, US vice president, national president, national vice president Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or OEK) consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Delegates Judicial branch: Supreme Court, National Court, and Court of Common Pleas Leaders: Chief of State: President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); represented by the Assistant Secretary for Territorial Affairs, US Department of the Interior, Stella GUERRA (since 21 July 1989) and J. Victor HOBSON Jr., Director (since 16 December 1990) Head of Government: President Ngiratkel ETPISON (since 2 November 1988), Vice-President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 2 November 1988) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Delegates: last held 2 November 1988 (next to be held NA November 1992); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (16 total); number of seats by party NA President: last held on 2 November 1988 (next to be held NA November 1992); results - Ngiratkel ETPISON 26.3%, Roman TMETUCHL 25.9%, Thomas REMENGESAU 19.5%, other 28.3% :Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Government:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Government Senate: last held 2 November 1988 (next to be held NA November 1992); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (14 total); number of seats by party NA Member of: ESCAP (associate), SPC, SPF (observer) Diplomatic representation: none US: US Liaison Officer Lloyed W. MOSS; US Liaison Office at Top Side, Neeriyas, Koror (mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Koror, PW 96940); telephone (680) 488-2920; (680) 488-2911 Flag: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side :Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Economy:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Economy Overview: The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. Tourism provides some foreign exchange, although the remote location of Palau and a shortage of suitable facilities has hindered development. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $31.6 million, per capita $2,260; real growth rate NA% (1986); note - GDP numbers reflect US spending Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 20% (1986) Budget: revenues $6.0 million; expenditures NA, including capital expenditures of NA (1986) Exports: $0.5 million (f.o.b., 1986) commodities: NA partners: US, Japan Imports: $27.2 million (c.i.f., 1986) commodities: NA partners: US External debt: about $100 million (1989) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 16,000 kW capacity; 22 million kWh produced, 1,540 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, craft items (shell, wood, pearl), some commercial fishing and agriculture Agriculture: subsistence-level production of coconut, copra, cassava, sweet potatoes Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $2,560 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $92 million Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September :Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Communications:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Communications Highways: 22.3 km paved, some stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads (1991) Ports: Koror Airports: 2 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 2 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Defense Forces:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US and that will not change when the UN trusteeship terminates if the Compact of Free Association with the US goes into effect :Pacific Ocean Geography:Pacific Ocean Geography Total area: 165,384,000 km2 Land area: 165,384,000 km2; includes Arafura Sea, Banda Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Makassar Strait, Philippine Sea, Ross Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodies Comparative area: slightly less than 18 times the size of the US; the largest ocean (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean); covers about one-third of the global surface; larger than the total land area of the world Coastline: 135,663 km 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 in the northern Pacific dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; sea ice occurs in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk during winter and reaches maximum northern extent from Antarctica 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; the world's greatest depth is 10,924 meters in the Marianas Trench Natural resources: oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish Environment: endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); southern shipping lanes subject to icebergs from Antarctica; occasional El Nino phenomenon occurs off the coast of Peru when the trade winds slacken and the warm Equatorial Countercurrent moves south, killing the plankton that is the primary food source for anchovies; consequently, the anchovies move to better feeding grounds, causing resident marine birds to starve by the thousands because of their lost food source Note: the major choke points are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May and in extreme south from May to October; persistent fog in the northern Pacific from June to December is a hazard to shipping; surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the Pacific Ring of Fire :Pacific Ocean Economy: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 cheap 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 total 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, New Zealand, 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 Communications:Pacific Ocean Communications Ports: Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan) Telecommunications: several submarine cables with network focused on Guam and Hawaii :Pakistan Geography:Pakistan Geography Total area: 803,940 km2 Land area: 778,720 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of California Land boundaries: 6,774 km total; Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km Coastline: 1,046 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: boundary with India; border question (Durand line); water sharing problems with upstream riparian India over the Indus Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited crude oil, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone Land use: arable land 26%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest and woodland 4%; other 64%; includes irrigated 19% Environment: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August); deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water logging Note: controls Khyber Pass and Malakand Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent :Pakistan People:Pakistan People Population: 121,664,539 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992) Birth rate: 43 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 105 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 56 years male, 57 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Pakistani(s); adjective - Pakistani Ethnic divisions: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India and their descendents) Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi`a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3% Languages: Urdu and English (both official); total spoken languages - Punjabi 64%, Sindhi 12%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu 7%, Balochi and other 9%; English is lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries, but official policies are promoting its gradual replacement by Urdu Literacy: 35% (male 47%, female 21%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 28,900,000; agriculture 54%, mining and manufacturing 13%, services 33%; extensive export of labor (1987 est.) Organized labor: about 10% of industrial work force :Pakistan Government:Pakistan Government Long-form name: Islamic Republic of Pakistan Type: parliamentary with strong executive, federal republic Capital: Islamabad Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier, Punjab, Sindh; note - the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK; formerly West Pakistan) Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments, 30 December 1985 Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's stature as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Pakistan Day (proclamation of the republic), 23 March (1956) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora) consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Federal Islamic (Shari`at) Court Leaders: Chief of State: President GHULAM ISHAQ Khan (since 13 December 1988) Head of Government: Prime Minister Mian Nawaz SHARIF (since 6 November 1990) Political parties and leaders: Islamic Democratic Alliance (Islami Jamuri Ittehad or IJI) - the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) led by Mohammed Khan JUNEJO is the main party in the IJI; Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO; note - in September 1990 the PPP announced the formation of the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA), an electoral alliance including the following four parties - PPP, Solidarity Movement (Tehrik Istiqlal), Movement for the Implementation of Shi`a Jurisprudence (Tehrik-i-Nifaz Fiqh Jafariya or TNFJ), and the PML (Malik faction); Muhajir Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf HUSSAIN; Awami National Party (ANP), Khan Abdul Wali KHAN; Jamiat-ul-Ulema-i-Islam (JUI), Fazlur RAHMAN; Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Mohammad Akbar Khan BUGTI; Pakistan National Party (PNP), Mir Ghaus Bakhsh BIZENJO; Pakistan Khawa Milli Party (PKMP), leader NA; Assembly of Pakistani Clergy (Jamiat-ul-Ulema-e-Pakistan or JUP), Maulana Shah Ahmed NOORANI; Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Qazi Hussain AHMED Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President: last held on 12 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results - Ghulam Ishaq KHAN was elected by Parliament and the four provincial assemblies :Pakistan Government:Pakistan Government Senate: last held March 1991 (next to be held NA March 1994); seats - (87 total) IJI 57, Tribal Area Representatives (nonparty) 8, PPP 5, ANP 5, JWP 4, MQM 3, PNP 2, PKMP 1, JUI 1, independent 1 Elections: National Assembly: last held on 24 October 1990 (next to be held by NA October 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (217 total) IJI 107, PDA 45, MQM 15, ANP 6, JUI 2, JWP 2, PNP 2, PKMP 1, independents 14, religious minorities 10, Tribal Area Representatives (nonparty) 8, vacant 1 Communists: the Communist party is officially banned but is allowed to operate openly Other political or pressure groups: military remains dominant political force; ulema (clergy), industrialists, and small merchants also influential Member of: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Abida HUSSAIN; Chancery at 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-6200; there is a Pakistani Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Nicholas PLATT; Embassy at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad (mailing address is P. O. Box 1048, PSC 1212, Box 2000, Islamabad or APO AE 09812-2000); telephone [92] (51) 826161 through 79; FAX [92] (51) 822004; there are US Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore and a Consulate in Peshawar Flag: green with a vertical white band 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:Pakistan Economy Overview: Pakistan is a poor Third World country faced with the usual problems of rapidly increasing population, sizable government deficits, and heavy dependence on foreign aid. In addition, the economy must support a large military establishment and provide for the needs of 4 million Afghan refugees. A real economic growth rate averaging 5-6% in recent years has enabled the country to cope with these problems. Almost all agriculture and small-scale industry is in private hands. In 1990, Pakistan embarked on a sweeping economic liberalization program to boost foreign and domestic private investment and lower foreign aid dependence. The SHARIF government has denationalized several state-owned firms and has attracted some foreign investment. Pakistan likely will have difficulty raising living standards because of its rapidly expanding population. At the current rate of growth, population would double in 25 years. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $45.4 billion, per capita $380; real growth rate 4.8% (FY91 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.3% (FY91) Unemployment rate: 10% (FY91 est.) Budget: revenues $6.4 billion; expenditures $10 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.6 billion (FY92 est.) Exports: $6.0 billion (f.o.b., FY91) commodities: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice partners: EC 31%, Japan 9%, US 13% (FY90) Imports: $7.9 billion (f.o.b., FY91) commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, transportation, equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicals partners: EC 21%, US 14%, Japan 13% (FY90) External debt: $20.1 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.7% (FY91); accounts for almost 20% of GNP Electricity: 8,500,000 kW capacity; 35,000 million kWh produced, 300 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, construction materials, clothing, paper products, shrimp Agriculture: 25% of GNP, over 50% of labor force; world's largest contiguous irrigation system; major crops - cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables; live-stock products - milk, beef, mutton, eggs; self-sufficient in food grain Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium and hashish for the international drug trade; government eradication efforts on poppy cultivation of limited success :Pakistan Economy:Pakistan Economy Economic aid: (including Bangladesh only before 1972) US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $4.5 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $9.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $2.3 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $3.2 billion Currency: Pakistani rupee (plural - rupees); 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1 - 24.980 (March 1992), 23.801 (1991), 21.707 (1990), 20.541 (1989), 18.003 (1988), 17.399 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Pakistan Communications:Pakistan Communications Railroads: 8,773 km total; 7,718 km broad gauge, 445 km 1-meter gauge, and 610 km less than 1-meter gauge; 1,037 km broad-gauge double track; 286 km electrified; all government owned (1985) Highways: 101,315 km total (1987); 40,155 km paved, 23,000 km gravel, 29,000 km improved earth, and 9,160 km unimproved earth or sand tracks (1985) Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; natural gas 4,044 km; petroleum products 885 km (1987) Ports: Gwadar, Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim Merchant marine: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 334,227 GRT/495,425 DWT; includes 3 passenger-cargo, 24 cargo, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 40 major transport aircraft Airports: 112 total, 104 usable; 75 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 31 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 43 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good international communication service over microwave and INTELSAT satellite; domestic communications poor; 813,000 telephones (1990); broadcast service good; broadcast stations - 19 AM, 8 FM, 29 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT :Pakistan Defense Forces:Pakistan Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 27,811,099; 17,064,073 fit for military service; 1,287,041 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.9 billion, 6% of GNP (1992 budget) :Palmyra Atoll Geography:Palmyra Atoll Geography Total area: 11.9 km2 Land area: 11.9 km2 Comparative area: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 14.5 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall Note: located 1,600 km south-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, almost halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa :Palmyra Atoll People:Palmyra Atoll People Population: uninhabited :Palmyra Atoll Government:Palmyra Atoll Government Long-form name: none Type: unincorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC :Palmyra Atoll Economy:Palmyra Atoll Economy Overview: no economic activity :Palmyra Atoll Communications:Palmyra Atoll Communications Ports: the main harbor is West Lagoon, which is entered by a channel on the southwest side of the atoll; both the channel and harbor will accommodate vessels drawing 4 meters of water; much of the road and many causeways built during the war are unserviceable and overgrown Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m :Palmyra Atoll Defense Forces:Palmyra Atoll Defense Forces Branches: Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Panama Geography:Panama Geography Total area: 78,200 km2 Land area: 75,990 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: 555 km total; Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km Coastline: 2,490 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May) Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp Land use: arable land 6%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 15%; forest and woodland 54%; other 23%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: dense tropical forest in east and northwest Note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean :Panama People:Panama People Population: 2,529,902 (July 1992), growth rate 2.0% (1992) Birth rate: 25 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 77 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Panamanian(s); adjective - Panamanian Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European ancestry) 70%, West Indian 14%, white 10%, Indian 6% Religions: Roman Catholic over 93%, Protestant 6% Languages: Spanish (official); English as native tongue 14%; many Panamanians bilingual Literacy: 88% (male 88%, female 88%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 770,472 (1987); government and community services 27.9%; agriculture, hunting, and fishing 26.2%; commerce, restaurants, and hotels 16%; manufacturing and mining 10.5%; construction 5.3%; transportation and communications 5.3%; finance, insurance, and real estate 4.2%; Canal Zone 2.4%; shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor Organized labor: 17% of labor force (1986) :Panama Government:Panama Government Long-form name: Republic of Panama Type: centralized republic Capital: Panama Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, Veraguas Independence: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821) Constitution: 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted April 1983 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 3 November (1903) Executive branch: president, two vice presidents, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) currently being reorganized Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Guillermo ENDARA (since 20 December 1989, elected 7 May 1989); First Vice President Ricardo ARIAS Calderon (since 20 December 1989, elected 7 May 1989); Second Vice President Guillermo FORD Boyd (since 20 December 1989, elected 7 May 1989) Political parties and leaders: government alliance: Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA), Alfredo RAMIREZ; Authentic Liberal Party (PLA), Arnulfo ESCALONA; Arnulfista Party (PA), Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER; opposition parties: Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Ricardo ARIAS Calderon; Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD, ex-official government party), Gerardo GONZALEZ; Agrarian Labor Party (PALA), Carlos LOPEZ Guevara; Liberal Party (PL), Roderick ESQUIVEL; Popular Action Party (PAPO); Socialist Workers Party (PST, leftist), Jose CAMBRA; Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT, leftist), Graciela DIXON Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: President: last held on 7 May 1989, annulled but later upheld (next to be held NA May 1994); results - anti-NORIEGA coalition believed to have won about 75% of the total votes cast Legislative Assembly: last held on 27 January 1991 (next to be held NA May 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (67 total) progovernment parties: PDC 28, MOLIRENA 16, PA 7, PLA 4 :Panama Government:Panama Government opposition parties: PRD 10, PALA 1, PL 1; note - the PDC went into opposition after President Guillermo ENDARA ousted the PDC from the coalition government in April 1991 Communists: People's Party (PdP), mainline Communist party, did not obtain the necessary 3% of the total vote in the 1984 election to retain its legal status; about 3,000 members Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO); National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP); Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE); National Civic Crusade; National Committee for the Right to Life Member of: AG (associate), CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jaime FORD; Chancery at 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-1407; the status of the Consulates General and Consulates has not yet been determined US: Ambassador Deane R. HINTON; Embassy at Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5 (mailing address is Box E, APO AA 34002); telephone (507) 27-1777; FAX (507) 27-1964 Flag: divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white with a blue five-pointed star in the center (hoist side) and plain red, the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center :Panama Economy:Panama Economy Overview: GDP expanded by roughly 9.3% in 1991, following growth of 4.6% in 1990 and a 0.4% contraction in 1989. Delay in coming to terms with the international financial institutions on policies to implement structural reform in Panama generated uncertainty in the private sector and tempered the pace of business expansion in 1991. Public investment was limited as the administration kept the fiscal deficit below 3% of GDP. Unemployment and economic reform are the two major issues the government must face in 1992-93. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.0 billion, per capita $2,040; real growth rate 9.3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.0% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 17% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $1.5 billion; expenditures $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $140 million (1991 est.) Exports: $380 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: bananas 28%, shrimp 14%, sugar 12%, clothing 5%, coffee 4% partners: US 44%, Central America and Caribbean, EC (1991 est.) Imports: $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: capital goods 13%, crude oil 12%, foodstuffs 10%, consumer goods, chemicals (1990) partners: US 37%, Japan, EC, Central America and Caribbean, Mexico, Venezuela (1989 est.) External debt: $5.4 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.2% (1991 est.); accounts for almost 9.4% of GDP Electricity: 1,135,000 kW capacity; 3,397 million kWh produced, 1,372 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: manufacturing and construction activities, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction material, sugar mills Agriculture: accounts for 12% of GDP (1991 est.), 25% of labor force (1989); crops - bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane; livestock; fishing; importer of food grain, vegetables Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $516 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $582 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $4 million Currency: balboa (plural - balboas); 1 balboa (B) = 100 centesimos Exchange rates: balboas (B) per US$1 - 1.000 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: calendar year :Panama Communications:Panama Communications Railroads: 238 km total; 78 km 1.524-meter gauge, 160 km 0.914-meter gauge Highways: 8,530 km total; 2,745 km paved, 3,270 km gravel or crushed stone, 2,515 km improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal Pipelines: crude oil 130 km Ports: Cristobal, Balboa, Puerto de La Bahia de Las Minas Merchant marine: 3,004 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 41,314,623 GRT/73,325,176 DWT; includes 20 passenger, 22 short-sea passenger, 3 passenger-cargo, 1,046 cargo, 205 refrigerated cargo, 175 container, 65 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 111 vehicle carrier, 9 livestock carrier, 4 multifunction large-load carrier, 340 petroleum tanker, 177 chemical tanker, 23 combination ore/oil, 101 liquefied gas, 8 specialized tanker, 659 bulk, 35 combination bulk, 1 barge carrier; note - all but 5 are foreign owned and operated; the top 4 foreign owners are Japan 36%, Greece 8%, Hong Kong 8%, and the US 7%; (China owns at least 128 ships, Vietnam 4, former Yugoslavia 4, Cuba 4, Cyprus 5, and the republics of the former USSR 12) Civil air: 5 major transport aircraft Airports: 112 total, 102 usable; 39 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: domestic and international facilities well developed; connection into Central American Microwave System; 220,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 91 AM, no FM, 23 TV; 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite ground stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT :Panama Defense Forces:Panama Defense Forces Branches: note - the Panamanian Defense Forces (PDF) ceased to exist as a military institution shortly after the United States invaded Panama on 20 December 1989; President ENDARA has restructured the forces into a civilian police service under the new name of Panamanian Public Forces (PPF); a Council of Public Security and National Defense under Menalco SOLIS in the office of the president coordinates the activities of the security forces; the Institutional Protection Service under Carlos BARES is attached to the presidency Manpower availability: males 15-49, 661,101; 455,412 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $75.5 million, 1.5% of GDP (1990) :Papua New Guinea Geography:Papua New Guinea Geography Total area: 461,690 km2 Land area: 451,710 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: 820 km; Indonesia 820 km Coastline: 5,152 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 NEGL%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 71%; other 28% Environment: one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast; some active volcanos; frequent earthquakes Note: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia :Papua New Guinea People:Papua New Guinea People Population: 4,006,509 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992) Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 67 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 55 years male, 56 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Papua New Guinean(s); adjective - Papua New Guinean Ethnic divisions: predominantly Melanesian and Papuan; some Negrito, Micronesian, and Polynesian Religions: Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant sects 10%; indigenous beliefs 34% Languages: 715 indigenous languages; English spoken by 1-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken in Papua region Literacy: 52% (male 65%, female 38%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: NA Organized labor: more than 50 trade unions, some with fewer than 20 members :Papua New Guinea Government:Papua New Guinea Government Long-form name: Independent State of Papua New Guinea Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Port Moresby Administrative divisions: 20 provinces; Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, North Solomons, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain Independence: 16 September 1975 (from UN trusteeship under Australian administration) Constitution: 16 September 1975 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1975) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, National Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Wiwa KOROWI (since NA November 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Paias WINGTI (since 17 July 1992) Political parties and leaders: Papua New Guinea United Party (Pangu Party), Rabbie NAMALIU; People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Paias WINGTI; People's Action Party (PAP), Akoka DOI; People's Progress Party (PPP), Sir Julius CHAN; United Party (UP), Paul TORATO; Papua Party (PP), Galeva KWARARA; National Party (NP), Paul PORA; Melanesian Alliance (MA), Fr. John MOMIS Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Parliament: last held 13-26 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - percent by party NA; seats - (109 total) Pangu Party 24, PDM 17, PPP 10, PAP 10, independents 30, others 18 Member of: ACP, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (observer), SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Margaret TAYLOR; Chancery at 3rd floor, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 745-3680 US: Ambassador Robert W. FARRAND; Embassy at Armit Street, Port Moresby (mailing address is P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby, or APO AE 96553); telephone [675] 211-455 or 594, 654; FAX [675] 213-423 :Papua New Guinea Government:Papua New Guinea Government Flag: divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five white five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered :Papua New Guinea Economy: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 was led by the mining sector; the opening of a large new gold mine featured in the advance. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $3.1 billion, per capita $800; real growth rate 9% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.8% (first half 1991) Unemployment rate: 5% (1988) Budget: revenues $1.26 billion; expenditures $1.46 billion, including capital expenditures of $273 million (1992 est.) Exports: $1.14 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: copper ore, gold, coffee, logs, palm oil, cocoa, lobster partners: FRG, Japan, Australia, UK, Spain, US Imports: $1.18 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, food, fuels, chemicals, consumer goods partners: Australia, Singapore, Japan, US, New Zealand, UK External debt: $2.2 billion (April 1991) Industrial production: growth rate 2.4% (1990 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity: 397,000 kW capacity; 1,510 million kWh produced, 400 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: copra crushing, oil palm processing, plywood processing, wood chip production, gold, silver, copper, construction, tourism Agriculture: one-third 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: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $40.6 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $6.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $17 million Currency: kina (plural - kina); 1 kina (K) = 100 toea Exchange rates: kina (K) per US$1 - 1.0413 (March 1992), 1.0508 (1991), 1.0467 (1990), 1.1685 (1989), 1.1538 (1988), 1.1012 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Papua New Guinea Communications:Papua New Guinea Communications Railroads: none Highways: 19,200 km total; 640 km paved, 10,960 km gravel, crushed stone, or stabilized-soil surface, 7,600 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 10,940 km Ports: Anewa Bay, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul Merchant marine: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 14,102 GRT/16,016 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 combination ore/oil, 1 bulk, 1 container Civil air: about 15 major transport aircraft Airports: 503 total, 460 usable; 18 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 39 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: services are adequate and being improved; facilities provide radiobroadcast, radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radiocommunication services; submarine cables extend to Australia and Guam; 51,700 telephones (1985); broadcast stations - 31 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV (1987); 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Papua New Guinea Defense Forces:Papua New Guinea Defense Forces Branches: Papua New Guinea Defense Force (including Army, Navy, Air Force) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,013,812; 564,081 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $42 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989 est.) :Paracel Islands Geography:Paracel Islands Geography Total area: NA Land area: undetermined Comparative area: undetermined Land boundaries: none Coastline: 518 km Maritime claims: undetermined Disputes: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam Climate: tropical Terrain: undetermined Natural resources: none Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: subject to typhoons Note: located 400 km east of Vietnam in the South China Sea about one-third of the way between Vietnam and the Philippines :Paracel Islands People:Paracel Islands People Population: no permanent inhabitants :Paracel Islands Government:Paracel Islands Government Long-form name: none :Paracel Islands Economy:Paracel Islands Economy Overview: no economic activity :Paracel Islands Communications:Paracel Islands Communications Ports: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island currently under expansion Airports: 1 on Woody Island :Paracel Islands Defense Forces:Paracel Islands Defense Forces Note: occupied by China :Paraguay Geography:Paraguay Geography Total area: 406,750 km2 Land area: 397,300 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than California Land boundaries: 3,920 km total; Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: short section of the boundary with Brazil (just west of 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 Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere Natural resources: iron ore, manganese, limestone, hydropower, timber Land use: arable land 20%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 39%; forest and woodland 35%; other 5%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) Note: landlocked; buffer between Argentina and Brazil :Paraguay People:Paraguay People Population: 4,929,446 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992) Birth rate: 33 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 28 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Paraguayan(s); adjective - Paraguayan Ethnic divisions: mestizo (Spanish and Indian) 95%, white and Indian 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 90%; Mennonite and other Protestant denominations Languages: Spanish (official) and Guarani Literacy: 90% (male 92%, female 88%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,418,000 (1991 est.); agriculture, industry and commerce, services, government (1986) Organized labor: about 2% of labor force :Paraguay Government:Paraguay Government Long-form name: Republic of Paraguay Type: republic Capital: Asuncion Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Chaco, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Nueva Asuncion, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain) Constitution: 25 August 1967; Constituent Assembly rewrote the Constitution that was promulgated on 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 National holiday: Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet), Council of State Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso) consists of an upper chamber or Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Gen. Andres RODRIGUEZ Pedotti (since 15 May 1989) Political parties and leaders: Colorado Party, Luis Maria ARGANA, acting president; Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), Juan Manuel BENITEZ Florentin; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Jose Angel BURRO; Febrerista Revolutionary Party (PRF), Victor BAREIRO; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo RICHER Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 and up to age 60 Elections: President: last held 1 May 1989 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - Gen. RODRIGUEZ 75.8%, Domingo LAINO 19.4% Chamber of Senators: last held 1 May 1989 (next to be held by NA May 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (36 total) Colorado Party 24, PLRA 10, PLR 1, PRF 1 Chamber of Deputies: last held on 1 May 1989 (next to be held by NA May 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) Colorado Party 48, PLRA 19, PRF 2, PDC 1, other 2 Communists: Oscar CREYDT faction and Miguel Angel SOLER faction (both illegal); 3,000 to 4,000 (est.) party members and sympathizers in Paraguay, very few are hard core; party beginning to return from exile is small and deeply divided Other political or pressure groups: Confederation of Workers (CUT); Roman Catholic Church :Paraguay Government:Paraguay Government Member of: AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Juan Esteban Aguirre MARTINEZ; Chancery at 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-6960 through 6962; there are Paraguayan Consulates General in New Orleans and New York, and a Consulate in Houston US: Ambassador Jon D. GLASSMAN; Embassy at 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Asuncion (mailing address is C. P. 402, Asuncion, or 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: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. Paraguay has no known significant mineral or petroleum resources but does have a large hydropower potential. Since 1981 economic performance has declined compared with the boom period of 1976-81, when real GDP grew at an average annual rate of nearly 11%. During the period 1982-86 real GDP fell in three of five years, inflation jumped to an annual rate of 32%, and foreign debt rose. Factors responsible for the erratic behavior of the economy were the completion of the Itaipu hydroelectric dam, bad weather for crops, and weak international commodity prices for agricultural exports. In 1987 the economy experienced a minor recovery because of improved weather conditions and stronger international prices for key agricultural exports. The recovery continued through 1990, on the strength of bumper crops in 1988-89. 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. During 1991 the government began to more seriously address its arrearages with international creditors and its domestic fiscal problems. Inflation was cut in third, but the foreign trade deficit widened to more than $1 billion. For the long run, the government must press forward with general market-oriented economic reforms. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $7.0 billion, per capita $1,460; real growth rate 3.0% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 14% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $487 million (1991) Exports: $642 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: cotton, soybean, timber, vegetable oils, coffee, tung oil, meat products partners: EC 37%, Brazil 25%, Argentina 10%, Chile 6%, US 6% Imports: $1.85 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: capital goods 35%, consumer goods 20%, fuels and lubricants 19%, raw materials 16%, foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco 10% partners: Brazil 30%, EC 20%, US 18%, Argentina 8%, Japan 7% External debt: $1.7 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.9% (1989 est.); accounts for 16% of GDP Electricity: 5,578,000 kW capacity; 15,447 million kWh produced, 3,219 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing, textiles, other light consumer goods, cement, construction Agriculture: accounts for 25% of GDP and 44% of labor force; cash crops - cotton, sugarcane; other crops - corn, wheat, tobacco, soybeans, cassava, fruits, and vegetables; animal products - beef, pork, eggs, milk; surplus producer of timber; self-sufficient in most foods :Paraguay Economy:Paraguay Economy Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; important transshipment point for Bolivian cocaine headed for the US and Europe Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $172 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion Currency: guarani (plural - guaranies); 1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: guaranies (G) per US$ - 1,447.5 (March 1992), 1,325.2 (1991), 1,229.8 (1990), 1,056.2 (1989), 550.00 (fixed rate 1986-February 1989), Fiscal year: calendar year :Paraguay Communications:Paraguay Communications Railroads: 970 km total; 440 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 60 km 1.000-meter gauge, 470 km various narrow gauge (privately owned) Highways: 21,960 km total; 1,788 km paved, 474 km gravel, and 19,698 km earth Inland waterways: 3,100 km Ports: Asuncion Merchant marine: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,747 GRT/19,865 DWT; includes 11 cargo, 2 petroleum tanker; note - 1 naval cargo ship is sometimes used commercially Civil air: 9 major transport aircraft Airports: 845 total, 716 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways; 0 with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 66 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: principal center in Asuncion; fair intercity microwave net; 78,300 telephones; broadcast stations - 40 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 7 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Paraguay Defense Forces:Paraguay Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including Naval Air and Marines), Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,172,813; 853,129 fit for military service; 49,917 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $84 million, 1.4% of GDP (1988 est.) :Peru Geography:Peru Geography Total area: 1,285,220 km2 Land area: 1,280,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Alaska Land boundaries: 6,940 km total; Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km, Colombia 2,900 km, Ecuador 1,420 km Coastline: 2,414 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: three sections of the boundary with Ecuador are in dispute Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 21%; forest and woodland 55%; other 21%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: subject to earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, mild volcanic activity; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima Note: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia :Peru People:Peru People Population: 22,767,543 (July 1992), growth rate 2.0% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 59 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 67 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.3 children born/woman (1992) 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: predominantly Roman Catholic Languages: Spanish and Quechua (both official), Aymara Literacy: 85% (male 92%, female 29%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 6,800,000 (1986); government and other services 44%, agriculture 37%, industry 19% (1988 est.) Organized labor: about 40% of salaried workers (1983 est.) :Peru Government:Peru Government Long-form name: Republic of Peru Type: in transition, President FUJIMORI on 5 April 1992 suspended the constitution and dissolved the legislative and judicial branches 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 and legislation enacted from 1987 to 1990 mandate the creation of regions (regiones, singular - region) intended to function eventually as autonomous economic and administrative entities; so far, 12 regions have been constituted from 23 existing 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, the regions have yet to assume their responsibilities and at the moment coexist with the departmental structure Independence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain) Constitution: 28 July 1980 (often referred to as the 1979 Constitution because the Constituent Assembly met in 1979, but the Constitution actually took effect the following year); suspended 5 April 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 28 July (1821) Executive branch: president, two vice presidents (vacant as of 19 May 1992), prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso) consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados); note - dissolved on 5 April 1992; being reconstituted Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Leaders: Chief of State: President Alberto FUJIMORI (since 28 July 1990); note - slots for first and second Vice Presidents vacant as of 19 May 1992 Head of Government: Prime Minister Oscar DE LA PUENTE Raygada (since 6 April 1992) :Peru Government:Peru Government Political parties and leaders: Change 90 (Cambio 90), Alberto FUJIMORI; Popular Christian Party (PPC), Luis BEDOYA Reyes; Popular Action Party (AP), Eduardo CALMELL del Solar; Liberty Movement (ML), Luis BUSTAMANTE; American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA), Luis ALVA Castro, Alan GARCIA; National Front of Workers and Peasants (FNTC), Roger CACERES; United Left (IU), leader NA; Independent Moralizing Front (FIM), Fernando OLIVERA Vega; Socialist Left (IS), leader NA; note - Democratic Front (FREDEMO) was a loosely organized coalition of the PPC, AP, and ML during the 8 April 1990 elections, but the parties no longer maintain a formal alliance Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held on 10 June 1990 (next to be held NA April 1995); results - Alberto FUJIMORI 56.53%, Mario VARGAS Llosa 33.92%, other 9.55% Senate: last held on 8 April 1990; dissolved on 5 April 1992; because of suspension of constitutional role, next election not yet scheduled; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (62 total; 60 elected, 2 ex-presidents who are senators for life) FREDEMO 20, APRA 16, Change 90 14, IU 6, IS 3, FNTC 1; note - as a result of the dissolution of FREDEMO and defections and expulsions from the various parties, the seats have been reallocated: APRA 17, Change 90 13, AP 8, IU 6, PPC 5, ML 4, IS 3, FNTC 1, independents 4, other 1 (January 1992) Chamber of Deputies: last held 8 April 1990 dissolved on 5 April 1992; because of suspension of constitutional role, next election not yet scheduled; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (180 total) FREDEMO 62, APRA 53, Change 90 32, IU 16, IS 4, FNTC 3, other 10; note - as a result of the dissolution of FREDEMO and defections and expulsions from the various parties, the seats have been reallocated: APRA 53, AP 25, Change 90 25, PPC 23, IU 16, ML 7, FIM 3, IS 4, FNTC 3, independents 15, other 4, and 2 currently nonvoting deputies Communists: Peruvian Communist Party-Unity (PCP-U), 2,000; other minor Communist parties Other political or pressure groups: leftist guerrilla groups: Shining Path, Abimael GUZMAN; Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, Nestor SERPA and Victor POLAY Member of: AG, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador vacant; Chancery at 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 833-9860 through 9869); Peruvian Consulates General are located in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US: Ambassador Anthony C. E. QUAINTON; Embassy at the corner of Avenida Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Avenida Espana, Lima (mailing address is P. O. Box 1991, Lima 1, or APO AA 34031); telephone [51] (14) 33-8000; FAX [51] (14) 316682 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:Peru Economy Overview: The Peruvian economy is becoming increasingly market oriented, with a large dose of government ownership remaining in mining, energy, and banking. 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 halted late in the year, and output rose 2.4% in 1991. 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, and, although it faces $14 billion in arrears on its external debt, is working to pay some $1.8 billion of these to the IMF and World Bank by 1993. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $20.6 billion, per capita $920; real growth rate 2.4% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 139% (1991) Unemployment rate: 15.0%; underemployment 65% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $1.7 billion; expenditures $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $250 million (1991 est.) Exports: $3.3 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: copper, fishmeal, zinc, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, refined silver, coffee, cotton partners: EC 28%, US 22%, Japan 13%, Latin America 12%, former USSR 2% Imports: $3.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery, transport equipment, iron and steel semimanufactures, chemicals, pharmaceuticals partners: US 32%, Latin America 22%, EC 17%, Switzerland 6%, Japan 3% External debt: $19.4 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.0% (1991 est.); accounts for almost 24% of GDP Electricity: 4,896,000 kW capacity; 15,851 million kWh produced, 709 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication Agriculture: accounts for 10% 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) :Peru Economy:Peru Economy Illicit drugs: world's largest coca leaf producer with about 121,000 hectares under cultivation; 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 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.7 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.3 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $577 million Currency: (S/.) nuevo sol (plural - nuevos soles); 1 nuevo sol (S/.) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: nuevo sol (S/. per US$1 - 0.960 (March 1992), 0.772 (1991), 0.187 (1990), 2.666 (1989), 0.129 (1988), 0.017 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Peru Communications:Peru Communications Railroads: 1,801 km total; 1,501 km 1.435-meter gauge, 300 km 0.914-meter gauge Highways: 69,942 km total; 7,459 km paved, 13,538 km improved, 48,945 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km Lago Titicaca Pipelines: crude oil 800 km, natural gas and natural gas liquids 64 km Ports: Callao, Ilo, Iquitos, Matarani, Talara Merchant marine: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 286,313 GRT/461,233 DWT; includes 14 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 petroleum tanker, 7 bulk; note - in addition, 8 naval tankers and 1 naval cargo are sometimes used commercially Civil air: 44 major transport aircraft Airports: 221 total, 201 usable; 36 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 23 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 43 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fairly adequate for most requirements; nationwide microwave system; 544,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 273 AM, no FM, 140 TV, 144 shortwave; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 12 domestic :Peru Defense Forces:Peru Defense Forces Branches: Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del Peru), National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 5,863,227; 3,964,930 fit for military service; 236,484 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $430 million, 2.4% of GDP (1991) :Philippines Geography:Philippines Geography Total area: 300,000 km2 Land area: 298,170 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Arizona Land boundaries: none 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 Disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claims Malaysian state of Sabah Climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands Natural resources: timber, crude oil, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper Land use: arable land 26%; permanent crops 11%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest and woodland 40%; other 19%; includes irrigated 5% Environment: astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; subject to landslides, active volcanoes, destructive earthquakes, tsunami; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution :Philippines People:Philippines People Population: 67,114,060 (July 1992), growth rate 2.0% (1992) Birth rate: 28 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 53 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 68 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Filipino(s); adjective - Philippine Ethnic divisions: Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3% Languages: Pilipino (based on Tagalog) and English; both official Literacy: 90% (male 90%, female 90%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 24,120,000; agriculture 46%, industry and commerce 16%, services 18.5%, government 10%, other 9.5% (1989) Organized labor: 3,945 registered unions; total membership 5.7 million (includes 2.8 million members of the National Congress of Farmers Organizations) :Philippines Government:Philippines Government Long-form name: Republic of the Philippines Type: republic Capital: Manila Administrative divisions: 72 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City* Davao, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar, General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*, Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao, Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*, Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*, Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*, Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawitawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*, Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur Independence: 4 July 1946 (from US) Constitution: 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 Legal system: based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Kongreso) consists of an upper house or Senate (Senado) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Corazon C. AQUINO (since 25 February 1986); Vice President Salvador H. LAUREL (since 25 February 1986) Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Philippine Democrats (LDP), Neptali GONZALES and Jose (Peping) COJUANGCO; Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), Fidel Valdes RAMOS; Liberal Party, Jovito SALONGA; New Society Movement (KBL), Amelda MARCOS Suffrage: universal at age 15 Elections: President: last held 11 May 1992 (next election to be held NA May 1998);results - Fidel Valdes RAMOS won 23.6% of votes, a narrow plurality :Philippines Government:Philippines Government Senate: last held 11 May 1992 (next election to be held NA May 1998); results - LDP 66%, NPC 20%, Lakas-NUCD 8%, Liberal 6%; seats - (24 total) LDP 24, NPC 5, Lakas-NUCD 2, Liberal 1 Elections: House of Representatives: last held 11 May 1992 (next election to be held NA May 1998); results - LDP 43.5%; Lakas-NUCD 25%, NPC 23.5%, Liberal 5%, KBL 3%;seats - (200 total) LDP 87, Lakas-NUCD 51, NPC 47, Liberal 10, KBL 5 Communists: the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) controls about 15,500-16,500 full-time insurgents and is not recognized as a legal party; a second Communist party, Philippine Communist Party (PKP), has quasi-legal status Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Emmanuel PELAEZ; Chancery at 1617 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 483-1414; there are Philippine Consulates General in Agana (Guam), Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle US: Ambassador Frank G. WISNER II; Embassy at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila (mailing address is APO AP 96440); telephone [63] (2) 521-7116; FAX [63] (2) 522-4361; there is a US Consulate in 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:Philippines Economy Overview: Following the recession of 1984-85, the Philippine economy grew on the average of 5.0% per year during 1986-89. It slowed again during the period 1990-91. The agricultural sector together with forestry and fishing, plays an important role in the economy, employing about 45% of the work force and providing almost 30% of GDP. The Philippines is the world's largest exporter of coconuts and coconut products. Manufacturing contributes about 35% of GDP. Major industries include food processing, chemicals, and textiles. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $47 billion, per capita $720; real growth rate 0.1% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17.6% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.0% (1991 est.) Budget: $8.4 billion; expenditures $9.36 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8 billion (1991 est.) Exports: $8.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: electrical equipment 19%, textiles 16%, minerals and ores 11%, farm products 10%, coconut 10%, chemicals 5%, fish 5%, forest products 4% partners: US 36%, EC 19%, Japan 18%, ESCAP 9%, ASEAN 7% Imports: $12.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: raw materials 53%, capital goods 17%, petroleum products 17% partners: US 25%, Japan 17%, ESCAP 13%, EC 11%, ASEAN 10%, Middle East 10% External debt: $28.9 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate - 5% (1991 est.); accounts for 35% of GNP Electricity: 7,500,000 kW capacity; 31,000 million kWh produced, 470 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing Agriculture: accounts for about one-third of GNP and 45% of labor force; major crops - rice, coconut, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapple, mango; 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 trade; growers are producing more and better quality cannabis despite government eradication efforts Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.6 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $7.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $5 million; Communist countries (1975-89), $123 million Currency: Philippine peso (plural - pesos); 1 Philippine peso (P) = 100 centavos :Philippines Economy:Philippines Economy Exchange rates: Philippine pesos (P) per US$1 - 25.810 (March 1992), 27.479 (1991), 24.311 (1990), 21.737 (1989), 21.095 (1988), 20.568 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Philippines Communications:Philippines Communications Railroads: 378 km operable on Luzon, 34% government owned (1982) Highways: 156,000 km total (1984); 29,000 km paved; 77,000 km gravel, crushed-stone, or stabilized-soil surface; 50,000 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m) vessels Pipelines: petroleum products 357 km Ports: Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras, Iloilo, Legaspi, Manila, Subic Bay Merchant marine: 552 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,150,425 GRT/13,624,527 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 11 short-sea passenger, 13 passenger-cargo, 155 cargo, 22 refrigerated cargo, 23 vehicle carrier, 8 livestock carrier, 13 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 8 container, 35 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 2 combination ore/oil, 247 bulk, 7 combination bulk; note - many Philippine flag ships are foreign owned and are on the register for the purpose of long-term bare-boat charter back to their original owners who are principally in Japan and Germany Civil air: 53 major transport aircraft Airports: 278 total, 244 usable; 72 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 9 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 53 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good international radio and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate; 872,900 telephones; broadcast stations - 267 AM (including 6 US), 55 FM, 33 TV (including 4 US); submarine cables extended to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, and 11 domestic :Philippines Defense Forces:Philippines Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 16,719,421; 11,816,366 fit for military service; 698,683 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $915 million, 1.9% of GNP (1991) :Pitcairn Islands Geography:Pitcairn Islands Geography Total area: 47 km2 Land area: 47 km2 Comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 51 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm 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% Environment: subject to typhoons (especially November to March) Note: located in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between Peru and New Zealand :Pitcairn Islands People:Pitcairn Islands People Population: 52 (July 1992), growth rate 0.0% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Pitcairn Islander(s); adjective - Pitcairn Islander Ethnic divisions: descendants of Bounty mutineers Religions: Seventh-Day Adventist 100% Languages: English (official); also a Tahitian/English dialect Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA; no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing Organized labor: NA :Pitcairn Islands Government:Pitcairn Islands Government Long-form name: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Adamstown Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: Local Government Ordinance of 1964 Legal system: local island by-laws National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June), 10 June 1989 Executive branch: British monarch, governor, island magistrate Legislative branch: unicameral Island Council Judicial branch: Island Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Governor and UK High Commissioner to New Zealand David Joseph MOSS (since NA 1990) Head of Government: Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Brian YOUNG (since NA 1985) Political parties and leaders: NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 with three years residency Elections: Island Council: last held NA (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 5 elected) number of seats by party NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: SPC 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: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. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $430,440; expenditures $429,983, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY87 est.) Exports: $NA commodities: fruits, vegetables, curios partners: NA Imports: $NA commodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs partners: NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 110 kW capacity; 0.30 million kWh produced, 5,360 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: postage stamp sales, handicrafts Agriculture: based on subsistence fishing and farming; wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown; must import grain products Economic aid: none Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural - dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.8245 (March 1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6866 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Pitcairn Islands Communications:Pitcairn Islands Communications Railroads: none Highways: 6.4 km dirt roads Ports: Bounty Bay Airports: none Telecommunications: 24 telephones; party line telephone service on the island; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; diesel generator provides electricity :Pitcairn Islands Defense Forces:Pitcairn Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Poland Geography:Poland Geography Total area: 312,680 km2 Land area: 304,510 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than New Mexico Land boundaries: 3,321 km total; Belarus 605 km, Czechoslovakia 1,309 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Ukraine 428 km Coastline: 491 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: plain crossed by a few north flowing, meandering streams; severe air and water pollution in south Note: historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain :Poland People:Poland People Population: 38,385,617 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4% (1992) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 14 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman(1992) Nationality: noun - Pole(s); adjective - Polish Ethnic divisions: Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%, Belorussian 0.5% (1990 est.) Religions: Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Russian Orthodox, Protestant, and other 5% Languages: Polish Literacy: 98% (male 99%, female 98%) age 15 and over can read and write (1978) Labor force: 17,104,000; industry and construction 36.1%; agriculture 27.3%; trade, transport, and communications 14.8%; government and other 21.8% (1989) Organized labor: trade union pluralism :Poland Government:Poland Government Long-form name: Republic of Poland Type: democratic state Capital: Warsaw Administrative divisions: 49 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Biaa Podlaska, Biaystok, Bielsko, Bydgoszcz, Chem, Ciechanow, Czestochowa, Elblag, Gdansk, Gorzow, Jelenia Gora, Kalisz, Katowice, Kielce, Konin, Koszalin, Krakow, Krosno, Legnica, Leszno, odz, omza, Lublin, Nowy Sacz, Olsztyn, Opole, Ostroteka, Pia, Piotrkow, Pock, Poznan, Przemysl, Radom, Rzeszow, Siedlce, Sieradz, Skierniewice, Supsk, Suwaki, Szczecin, Tarnobrzeg, Tarnow, Torun, Wabrzych, Warszawa, Wocawek, Wrocaw, Zamosc, Zielona Gora Independence: 11 November 1918, independent republic proclaimed Constitution: Communist-imposed Constitution of 22 July 1952; developing a democratic Constitution Legal system: mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Constitution Day, 3 May (1794) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Zgromadzenie Narodowe) consists of an upper house or Senate (Senat) and a lower house or Diet (Sejm) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Lech WALESA (since 22 December 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister Hanna SUCHOCKA (since 10 July 1992) Political parties and leaders: Solidarity Bloc: Democratic Union (UD), Tadeusz MAZOWIECKI; Christian-National Union (ZCHN), Wieslaw CHRZANOWSKI; Centrum (PC), Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI; Liberal-Democratic Congress, Donald TUSK; Peasant Alliance (PL), Gabriel JANOWSKI; Solidarity Trade Union (NSZZ), Marian KRZAKLEWSKI; Solidarity Labor (SP), Ryszard BUGAJ; Christian-Democratic Party (PCHD), Pawel LACZKOWSKI; Democratic-Social Movement (RDS), Zbigniew BUJAK; Kracow Coalition in Solidarity with the President, Mieczyslaw GIL; Solidarity 80, Marian JURCZYK Non-Communist, Non-Solidarity: Confederation for an Independent Poland (KPN), Leszek MOCZULSKI; Beer Lovers' Party (PPPP), Janusz REWINSKI; Christian Democrats (CHD), Andrzej OWSINSKI; German Minority (MN), Henryk KROL; Western Union (KPN Front), Damian JAKUBOWSKI; RealPolitik (UPR), Janusz KORWIN-MIKKE; Democratic Party (SD), Antoni MACKIEWICZ Communist origin or linked: Social Democracy (SDRP, or SLD), Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz; Polish Peasants' Party (PSL), Waldermar PAWLAK; Party X, Stanislaw Tyminski Suffrage: universal at age 18 :Poland Government:Poland Government Elections: President: first round held 25 November 1990, second round held 9 December 1990 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - second round Lech WALESA 74.7%, Stanislaw TYMINSKI 25.3% Senate: last held 27 October 1991 (next to be held no later than NA October 1995); results - Solidarity Bloc: UD 21%, NSZZ 11%, ZCHN 9%, PC 9%, Liberal-Democratic Congress 6%, PL 7%, PCHD 3%, other local candidates 11% Non-Communist, Non-Solidarity: KPN 4%, CHD 1%, MN 1%, local candidates 5% Communist origin or linked: PSL 8%, SLD 4%; seats - (100 total) Solidarity Bloc: UD 21, NSZZ 11, ZCHN 9, Liberal-Democratic Congress 6, PL 7, PCHD 3, other local candidates 11; Non-Communist, Non-Solidarity: KPN 4, CHD 1, MN 1 local candidates 5 Communist origin or linked: PSL 8, SLD 4 Sejm: last held 27 October 1991 (next to be held no later than NA October 1995); results - Solidarity Bloc: UD 12.31%, ZCHN 8.73%, PL 8.71%, Liberal-Democratic Congress 7.48%, PL 5.46%, NSZZ 5.05%, SP 2.05%, PCHD 1.11% Non-Communist, Non-Solidarity: KPN 7.50%, PPPP 3.27%, CHD 2.36%, UPR 2.25%, MN 1.70% Communist origin or linked: SLD 11.98%, PSL 8.67%; seats - (460 total) Solidarity Bloc: UD 62, ZCHN 9, PC 44, Liberal-Democratic Congress 37, PL 28, NSZZ 27, SP 4, PCHD 4, RDS 1, Krackow Coalition in Solidarity with the President 1, Piast Agreement 1, Bydgoszcz Peasant List 1, Solidarity 80 1 Non-Communist, Non-Solidarity: KPN 46, PPPP 16, MN 7, CHD 5, Western Union 4, UPR 3, Autonomous Silesia 2, SD 1, Orthodox Election Committee 1, Committee of Women Against Hardships 1, Podhale Union 1, Wielkopolska Group 1, Wielkopolska and Lubuski Inhabitants 1 Communist origin or linked: SLD 60, PSL 48, Party X 3 Communists: 70,000 members in the Communist successor parties (1990) Other political or pressure groups: powerful Roman Catholic Church; Confederation for an Independent Poland (KPN), a nationalist group; Solidarity (trade union); All Poland Trade Union Alliance (OPZZ), populist program; Clubs of Catholic Intellectuals (KIKs) Member of: BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, CSCE, ECE, FAO, GATT, Hexagonale, IAEA, IBEC, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IIB, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNDOF, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Kazimierz DZIEWANOWSKI; Chancery at 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 234-3800 through 3802; there are Polish Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York :Poland Government:Poland Government US: Ambassador Thomas W. SIMONS, Jr.; Embassy at Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, Warsaw (mailing address is American Embassy Warsaw, Box 5010, or APO AE 09213-5010); telephone [48] (2) 628-8298; FAX [48] (2) 628-9326; there is a US Consulate General in Krakow and a Consulate in Poznan Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white :Poland Economy:Poland Economy Overview: Poland is undergoing a difficult transition from a Soviet-style economy - with state ownership and control of productive assets - to a market economy. On January 1, 1990, the new Solidarity-led government implemented shock therapy by slashing subsidies, decontrolling prices, tightening the money supply, stabilizing the foreign exchange rate, lowering import barriers, and restraining state sector wages. As a result, consumer goods shortages and lines disappeared, and inflation fell from 640% in 1989 to 60% in 1991. Western governments, which hold two-thirds of Poland's $48 billion external debt, pledged in 1991 to forgive half of Poland's official debt by 1994, and the private sector grew, accounting for 22% of industrial production and 40% of nonagricultural output by 1991. Production fell in state enterprises, however, and the unemployment rate climbed steadily from virtually nothing in 1989 to 11.4% in December 1991. Poland fell out of compliance with its IMF program by mid-1991, and talks with commercial creditors stalled. The increase in unemployment and the decline in living standards led to popular discontent and a change in government in January 1991 and again in December. The new government has promised selective industrial intervention, some relaxation in monetary policy, and an improved social safety net, but will be constrained by the decline in output and the growing budget deficit. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $162.7 billion, per capita $4,300; real growth rate -5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 60% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.4% (end December 1991) Budget: revenues $19.5 billion; expenditures $22.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.5 billion (1991 est.) Exports: $12.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery 23%, metals 17%, chemicals 13%, fuels 11%, food 10% (1991 est.) partners: FRG 25.1%, former USSR 15.3%, UK 7.1%, Switzerland 4.7% (1990) Imports: $12.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery 35%, fuels 20%, chemicals 13%, food 11%, light industry 7% (1991 est.) partners: FRG 20.1%, former USSR 19.8%, Italy 7.5%, Switzerland 6.4% (1990) External debt: $48.5 billion (January 1992); note - Poland's Western government creditors promised in 1991 to forgive 30% of Warsaw's official debt - currently $33 billion - immediately and to forgive another 20% by 1994, if Poland adheres to its IMF program Industrial production: growth rate -14% (State sector 1991 est.) Electricity: 31,530,000 kW capacity; 136,300 million kWh produced, 3,610 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: machine building, iron and steel, extractive industries, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles :Poland Economy:Poland Economy Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP and 27% of labor force; 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 producers of opium for domestic consumption and amphetamines for the international market; emerging as a transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: donor - bilateral aid to non-Communist less developed countries, $2.2 billion (1954-89); note - the G-24 has pledged $8 billion in grants and credit guarantees to Poland Currency: Zoty (plural - Zotych); 1 Zoty (Z) = 100 groszy Exchange rates: Zotych (z) per US$1 - 13,443 (March 1992), 10,576 (1991), 9,500 (1990), 1,439.18 (1989), 430.55 (1988), 265.08 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Poland Communications:Poland Communications Railroads: 27,041 km total; 24,287 km 1.435-meter gauge, 397 km 1.520-meter gauge, 2,357 km narrow gauge; 8,987 km double track; 11,016 km electrified; government owned (1989) Highways: 299,887 km total; 130,000 km improved hard surface (concrete, asphalt, stone block); 24,000 km unimproved hard surface (crushed stone, gravel); 100,000 km earth; 45,887 km other urban roads (1985) Inland waterways: 3,997 km navigable rivers and canals (1989) Pipelines: natural gas 4,500 km, crude oil 1,986 km, petroleum products 360 km (1987) Ports: Gdansk, Gdynia, Szczecin, Swinoujscie; principal inland ports are Gliwice on Kana Gliwice, Wrocaw on the Oder, and Warsaw on the Vistula Merchant marine: 222 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,851,016 GRT/4,019,531 DWT; includes 5 short-sea passenger, 79 cargo, 4 refrigerated cargo, 14 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 12 container, 1 petroleum tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 102 bulk, 1 passenger; Poland owns 1 ship of 6,333 DWT operating under Liberian registry Civil air: 48 major transport aircraft Airports: 160 total, 160 usable; 85 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runway over 3,659 m; 35 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 65 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: severely underdeveloped and outmoded system; cable, open wire and microwave; phone density is 10.5 phones per 100 residents (October 1990); 3.1 million subscribers; exchanges are 86% automatic (February 1990); broadcast stations - 27 AM, 27 FM, 40 (5 Soviet repeaters) TV; 9.6 million TVs; 1 satellite earth station using INTELSAT, EUTELSAT, INMARSAT and Intersputnik :Poland Defense Forces:Poland Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 9,785,823; 7,696,425 fit for military service; 294,191 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - 19.2 trillion zotych, NA% of GDP (1991); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results :Portugal Geography:Portugal Geography Total area: 92,080 km2 Land area: 91,640 km2; includes Azores and Madeira Islands Comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: 1,214 km; Spain 1,214 km Coastline: 1,793 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor Province) disputed with Indonesia Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south 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%; includes irrigated 7% Environment: Azores subject to severe earthquakes Note: Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar :Portugal People:Portugal People Population: 10,448,509 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4% (1992) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Portuguese (singular and plural); adjective - Portuguese Ethnic divisions: homogeneous Mediterranean stock in mainland, Azores, Madeira Islands; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000 Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant denominations 1%, other 2% Languages: Portuguese Literacy: 85% (male 89%, female 82%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 4,605,700; services 45%, industry 35%, agriculture 20% (1988) Organized labor: about 55% of the labor force; the Communist-dominated General Confederation of Portuguese Workers - Intersindical (CGTP-IN) represents more than half of the unionized labor force; its main competition, the General Workers Union (UGT), is organized by the Socialists and Social Democrats and represents less than half of unionized labor :Portugal Government:Portugal Government Long-form name: Portuguese Republic Type: republic Capital: Lisbon Administrative divisions: 18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu Independence: 1140; independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910 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 National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June Executive branch: president, Council of State, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica) Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Justica) Leaders: Chief of State: President Dr. Mario Alberto Nobre Lopes SOARES (since 9 March 1986) Head of Government: Prime Minister Anibal CAVACO SILVA (since 6 November 1985) Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Anibal CAVACO Silva; Portuguese Socialist Party (PS), Jorge SAMPAIO; Party of Democratic Renewal (PRD), Herminio MARTINHO; Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Alvaro CUNHAL; Social Democratic Center (CDS), Andriano MORREIRA (interim); National Solidarity Party, Manuel SERGIO; Center Democratic Party; United Democratic Coalition (CDU; Communists) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 13 February 1991 (next to be held NA February 1996); results - Dr. Mario Lopes SOARES 70%, Basilio HORTA 14%, Carlos CARVALHAS 13%, Carlos MARQUES 3% Assembly of the Republic: last held 6 October 1991 (next to be held NA October 1995); results - PSD 50.4%, PS 29.3%, CDU 8.8%, Center Democrats 4.4%, National Solidarity Party 1.7%, PRD 0.6%, other 4.8%; seats - (230 total) PSD 135, PS 72, CDU 17, Center Democrats 5, National Solidarity Party 1 Communists: Portuguese Communist Party claims membership of 200,753 (December 1983) :Portugal Government:Portugal Government Member of: AfDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, FAO, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Joao Eduardo M. PEREIRA BASTOS; Chancery at 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-8610; there are Portuguese Consulates General in Boston, New York, and San Francisco, and Consulates in Los Angeles, Newark (New Jersey), New Bedford (Massachusetts), and Providence (Rhode Island) US: Ambassador Everett E. BRIGGS; Embassy at Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600 Lisbon (mailing address is PSC 83, APO AE 09726); telephone [351] (1) 726-6600 or 6659, 8670, 8880; FAX [351] (1) 726-9109; there is a US Consulate in Oporto and 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:Portugal Economy Overview: Although Portugal has experienced strong growth since joining the EC in 1986 - at least 4% each year through 1990 - it remains one of the poorest members. To prepare for the European single market, the government is restructuring and modernizing the economy and in 1989 embarked on a major privatization program. The global slowdown and tight monetary policies to counter inflation caused growth to slow in 1991, but it is likely to recover in 1992. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $87.3 billion, per capita $8,400; real growth rate 2.7% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.0% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.0% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $27.0 billion; expenditures $33.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.7 billion (1991 est.) Exports: $16.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: cotton textiles, cork and paper products, canned fish, wine, timber and timber products, resin, machinery, appliances partners: EC 74%, other developed countries 13.2%, US 4.8% Imports: $25.1 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, petroleum, textiles partners: EC 69.1%, other developed countries 11.4% less developed countries 15.1%, US 3.9% External debt: $15.0 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 9.1% (1990); accounts for 40% of GDP Electricity: 6,729,000 kW capacity; 16,000 million kWh produced, 1,530 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; wine; tourism Agriculture: accounts for 6.1% of GDP and about 20% of labor force; 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 import gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.8 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.2 billion Currency: Portuguese escudo (plural - escudos); 1 Portuguese escudo (Esc) = 100 centavos :Portugal Economy:Portugal Economy Exchange rates: Portuguese escudos (Esc) per US$1 - 143.09 (March 1992), 144.48 (1991), 142.55 (1990), 157.46 (1989), 143.95 (1988), 140.88 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Portugal Communications:Portugal Communications Railroads: 3,613 km total; state-owned Portuguese Railroad Co. (CP) operates 2,858 km 1.665-meter gauge (434 km electrified and 426 km double track), 755 km 1.000-meter gauge; 12 km (1.435-meter gauge) electrified, double track, privately owned Highways: 73,661 km total; 61,599 km surfaced (bituminous, gravel, and crushed stone), including 140 km of limited-access divided highway; 7,962 km improved earth; 4,100 km unimproved earth (motorable tracks) Inland waterways: 820 km navigable; relatively unimportant to national economy, used by shallow-draft craft limited to 300-metric-ton cargo capacity Pipelines: crude oil 11 km; petroleum products 58 km Ports: Leixoes, Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Velas (Azores), Setubal, Sines Merchant marine: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 738,774 GRT/1,300,787 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 20 cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 3 container, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 13 petroleum tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 8 bulk, 2 vehicle carrier; note - Portugal has created a captive register on Madeira (MAR) for Portuguese-owned ships that will have the taxation and crewing benefits of a flag of convenience; although only one ship currently is known to fly the Portuguese flag on the MAR register, it is likely that a majority of Portuguese flag ships will transfer to this subregister in a few years Civil air: 43 major transport aircraft Airports: 65 total, 62 usable; 36 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 8 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: generally adequate integrated network of coaxial cables, open wire and radio relay; 2,690,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 57 AM, 66 (22 repeaters) FM, 66 (23 repeaters) TV; 6 submarine cables; 3 INTELSAT earth stations (2 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Indian Ocean), EUTELSAT, domestic satellite systems (mainland and Azores); tropospheric link to Azores :Portugal Defense Forces:Portugal Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, National Republican Guard, Fiscal Guard, Public Security Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,666,450; 2,166,341 fit for military service; 88,826 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion, 2.8% of GDP (1991) :Puerto Rico Geography:Puerto Rico Geography Total area: 9,104 km2 Land area: 8,959 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island Land boundaries: none Coastline: 501 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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 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% Environment: many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north Note: important location between the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands group 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 :Puerto Rico People:Puerto Rico People Population: 3,776,654 (July 1992), growth rate 1.0% (1992) Birth rate: 17 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 14 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Puerto Rican(s); adjective - Puerto Rican Ethnic divisions: almost entirely Hispanic Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant denominations and other 15% Languages: Spanish (official); English is widely understood Literacy: 89% (male 90%, female 88%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 1,068,000; government 28%, manufacturing 15%, trade 14%, agriculture 3%, other 40% (1990) Organized labor: 115,000 members in 4 unions; the largest is the General Confederation of Puerto Rican Workers with 35,000 members (1983) :Puerto Rico Government:Puerto Rico Government Long-form name: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Type: commonwealth associated with the US Capital: San Juan Administrative divisions: none (commonwealth associated with the US) Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US) Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952 Legal system: based on Spanish civil code National holiday: Constitution Day, 25 July (1952) Executive branch: US president, US vice president, governor Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since 20 January 1989) Head of Government: Governor Rafael HERNANDEZ Colon (since 2 January 1989) Political parties and leaders: National Republican Party of Puerto Rico, Freddy VALENTIN; Popular Democratic Party (PPD), Rafael HERNANDEZ Colon; New Progressive Party (PNP), Carlos ROMERO Barcelo; Puerto Rican Socialist Party (PSP), Juan MARI Bras and Carlos GALLISA; Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), Ruben BERRIOS Martinez; Puerto Rican Communist Party (PCP), leader(s) unknown; Puerto Rican Renewal Party (PRP, breakaway group from PNP), leader (vacant); Puerto Rico Democratic Party, Richard MACHADO Suffrage: universal at age 18; citizens of Puerto Rico are also US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections Elections: Governor: last held 8 November 1988 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - Rafael HERNANDEZ Colon (PPD) 48.7%, Baltasar CORRADA Del Rio (PNP) 45.8%, Ruben BERRIOS Martinez (PIP) 5.5% Senate: last held 8 November 1988 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (27 total) PPD 18, PNP 8, PIP 1 US House of Representatives: last held 8 November 1988 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) seats by party NA; note - Puerto Rico elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives, Jaime B. FUSTER House of Representatives: last held 8 November 1988 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (53 total) PPD 36, PNP 15, PIP 2 :Puerto Rico Government:Puerto Rico Government Other political or pressure groups: all have engaged in terrorist activities - Armed Forces for National Liberation (FALN), Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution, Boricua Popular Army (also known as the Macheteros), Armed Forces of Popular Resistance Member of: CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, ICFTU, IOC, WCL, WFTU, WTO (associate) Diplomatic representation: none (commonwealth associated with the US) Flag: five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large white five-pointed star in the center; design based on the US flag :Puerto Rico Economy: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. Important new 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. The economy has largely recovered from the disruptions caused by Hurricane Hugo in September 1989. The tourism infrastructure has been especially hard hit. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $21.6 billion, per capita $6,600; real growth rate 2.2% (FY90) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (October 1990-91) Unemployment rate: 15.5% (October 1991) Budget: revenues $5.8 billion; expenditures $5.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $258 million (FY89) Exports: NA commodities: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment, instruments partners: US 87% (FY90) Imports: NA commodities: chemicals, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products partners: US 68% (FY90) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 3.8% (FY90) Electricity: 4,149,000 kW capacity; 14,844 million kWh produced, 4,510 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, instruments; tourism Agriculture: accounts for 3% of labor force; crops - sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock - cattle, chickens; imports a large share of food needs Economic aid: none Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Puerto Rico Communications:Puerto Rico Communications Railroads: 96 km rural narrow-gauge system for hauling sugarcane; no passenger railroads Highways: 13,762 km paved (1982) Ports: San Juan, Ponce, Mayaguez, Arecibo Airports: 30 total; 24 usable; 19 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 900,000 or 99% of total households have TV; 1,067,787 telephones (1988); broadcast stations - 50 AM, 63 FM, 9 TV (1990) :Puerto Rico Defense Forces:Puerto Rico Defense Forces Branches: paramilitary National Guard, Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 830,133; NA fit for military service Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Qatar Geography:Qatar Geography Total area: 11,000 km2 Land area: 11,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 60 km total; Saudi Arabia 40 km, UAE 20 km Coastline: 563 km Maritime claims: *** No entry for this item *** Continental shelf: not specific Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: location and status of Qatar's southern boundaries with Saudi Arabia and UAE are unresolved; territorial dispute with Bahrain over the Hawar Islands; maritime boundary with Bahrain Climate: desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summer Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, fish Land use: arable land NEGL%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 5%; forest and woodland 0%; other 95% Environment: haze, duststorms, sandstorms common; limited freshwater resources mean increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities Note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major crude oil sources :Qatar People:Qatar People Population: 484,387 (July 1992), growth rate 3.2% (1992) Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 15 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 24 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.0 children born/woman (1992) 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 is commonly used as second language Literacy: 76% (male 77%, female 72%) age 15 and over can read and write (1986) Labor force: 104,000; 85% non-Qatari in private sector (1983) Organized labor: trade unions are illegal :Qatar Government:Qatar Government Long-form name: State of Qatar Type: traditional monarchy Capital: Doha Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Ash Shamal, Jarayan al Batnah, Umm Salal Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK) 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971) Executive branch: amir, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Amir and Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani (since 22 February 1972); Heir Apparent HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (appointed 31 May 1977; son of Amir) Political parties and leaders: none Suffrage: none Elections: Advisory Council: constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body, but no elections have been held; seats - (30 total) Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Hamad `Abd al-`Aziz AL-KAWARI, Chancery at Suite 1180, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 338-0111 US: Ambassador Kenton W. KEITH; Embassy at 149 Ali Bin Ahmed St., Farig Bin Omran (opposite the television station), Doha (mailing address is P. O. Box 2399, Doha); telephone (0974) 864701 through 864703; FAX (0974) 861669 Flag: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side :Qatar Economy:Qatar Economy Overview: Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts for more than 85% of export earnings and roughly 75% 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 of about $15,000, comparable to the leading industrial countries. Production and export of natural gas is becoming increasingly important. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $7.4 billion, per capita $15,000; real growth rate NA (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.9% (1988 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $2.1 billion; expenditures $3.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $490 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $3.2 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: petroleum products 85%, steel, fertilizers partners: Japan 61%, Brazil 9%, UAE 3%, Singapore 3% Imports: $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, beverages, animal and vegetable oils, chemicals, machinery and equipment partners: UK 13%, Japan 11%, US 8%, Italy 8% External debt: $1.1 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0.6% (1987); accounts for 64% of GDP, including oil Electricity: 1,520,000 kW capacity; 4,200 million kWh produced, 8,080 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel, cement Agriculture: farming and grazing on small scale, less than 2% of GDP; commercial fishing increasing in importance; most food imported Economic aid: donor - pledged $2.7 billion in ODA to less developed countries (1979-88) Currency: Qatari riyal (plural - riyals); 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 Communications:Qatar Communications Highways: 1,500 km total; 1,000 km paved, 500 km gravel or natural surface (est.) Pipelines: crude oil 235 km, natural gas 400 km Ports: Doha, Umm Sa'id, Halul Island Merchant marine: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 473,042 GRT/716,039 DWT; includes 14 cargo, 5 container, 3 petroleum tanker, 1 refrigerated cargo Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 4 total, 4 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; none with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: modern system centered in Doha; 110,000 telephones; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT :Qatar Defense Forces:Qatar Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Security Manpower availability: males 15-49, 211,812; 112,250 fit for military service; 3,414 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA%, of GDP :Reunion Geography:Reunion Geography Total area: 2,510 km2 Land area: 2,500 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: none Coastline: 201 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: periodic devastating cyclones Note: located 750 km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean :Reunion People:Reunion People Population: 626,414 (July 1992), growth rate 2.1% (1992) Birth rate: 26 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 77 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Reunionese (singular and plural); adjective - Reunionese Ethnic divisions: most of the population is of intermixed French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, and Indian ancestry Religions: Roman Catholic 94% Languages: French (official); Creole widely used Literacy: 69% (male 67%, female 74%) age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: NA; agriculture 30%, industry 21%, services 49% (1981); 63% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: General Confederation of Workers of Reunion (CGTR) :Reunion Government:Reunion Government Long-form name: Department of Reunion Type: overseas department of France Capital: Saint-Denis Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: French president, commissioner of the Republic Legislative branch: General Council, Regional Council Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (Cour d'Appel) Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE (since July 1991) Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Francois MAS; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Gilbert GERARD; Communist Party of Reunion (PCR), Paul VERGES; France-Reunion Future (FRA), Andre THIEN AH KOON; Socialist Party (PS), Jean-Claude FRUTEAU; Social Democrats (CDS); other small parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: General Council: last held September/October 1988 (next to be held NA 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (44 total) PCR 9, PS 4, UDF 6, other left-wing 2, RPR 4, right-wing 19 Regional Council: last held 16 March 1986 (next to be held NA March 1992); results - RPR/UDF 36.8%, PCR 28.2%, FRA and other right wing 17.3%, PS 14.1%, other 3.6%; seats - (45 total) RPR/UDF 18, PCR 13, FRA and other right wing 8, PS 6 French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (3 total) RPR-UDF 1, PS 1, independent 1 French National Assembly: last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held NA June 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (5 total) PCR 2, RPR 1, UDF-CDS 1, FRA 1; note - Reunion elects 3 members to the French Senate and 5 members to the French National Assembly who are voting members Communists: Communist party small but has support among sugarcane cutters, the minuscule Popular Movement for the Liberation of Reunion (MPLR), and in the district of Le Port Member of: FZ, WFTU :Reunion Government:Reunion Government Diplomatic representation: as an overseas department of France, Reunionese interests are represented in the US by France Flag: the flag of France is used :Reunion Economy: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. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $3.37 billion, per capita $6,000 (1987 est.); real growth rate 9% (1987 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1988) Unemployment rate: 35% (February 1991) Budget: revenues $358 million; expenditures $914 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1986) Exports: $166 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: sugar 75%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 4%, lobster 3%, vanilla and tea 1% partners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy Imports: $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery and transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum products partners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA%; about 25% of GDP Electricity: 245,000 kW capacity; 546 million kWh produced, 965 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: sugar, rum, cigarettes, several small shops producing handicraft items Agriculture: accounts for 30% of labor force; dominant sector of economy; cash crops - sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco; food crops - tropical fruits, vegetables, corn; imports large share of food needs Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $14.8 billion Currency: French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.6397 (March 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) :Reunion Economy:Reunion Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Reunion Communications:Reunion Communications Highways: 2,800 km total; 2,200 km paved, 600 km gravel, crushed stone, or stabilized earth Ports: Pointe des Galets Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runway 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate system; modern open-wire and microwave network; principal center Saint-Denis; radiocommunication to Comoros, France, Madagascar; new microwave route to Mauritius; 85,900 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 13 FM, 1 (18 repeaters) TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Reunion Defense Forces:Reunion Defense Forces Branches: French Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 164,974; 85,370 fit for military service; 6,083 reach military age (18) annually Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Romania Geography:Romania Geography Total area: 237,500 km2 Land area: 230,340 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: 2,508 km total; Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia and Montenegro 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (south) 169 km Coastline: 225 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms Terrain: central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the plain of Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps Natural resources: crude oil (reserves being exhausted), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt Land use: arable land 43%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 19%; forest and woodland 28%; other 7%; includes irrigated 11% Environment: frequent earthquakes most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides; air pollution in south Note: controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and the Ukraine :Romania People:Romania People Population: 23,169,914 (July 1992), growth rate 0.0% (1992) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Romanian(s); adjective - Romanian Ethnic divisions: Romanian 89.1%, Hungarian 8.9%, German 0.4%, Ukrainian, Serb, Croat, Russian, Turk, and Gypsy 1.6% Religions: Romanian Orthodox 70%, Roman Catholic 6%, Greek Catholic (Uniate) 3%, Protestant 6%, unaffiliated 15% Languages: Romanian, Hungarian, German Literacy: 96% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.) Labor force: 10,945,700; industry 38%, agriculture 28%, other 34% (1989) Organized labor: until December 1989, a single trade union system organized by the General Confederation of Romanian Trade Unions (UGSR) under control of the Communist Party; since CEAUSESCU'S overthrow, newly created trade and professional trade unions are joining umbrella organizations, including the Organization of Free Trade Unions, Fratia (Brotherhood), and the Alfa Cartel; many other trade unions have been formed :Romania Government:Romania Government Long-form name: none Type: republic Capital: Bucharest Administrative divisions: 40 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea Independence: 1881 (from Turkey); republic proclaimed 30 December 1947 Constitution: 8 December 1991 Legal system: former mixture of civil law system and Communist legal theory that increasingly reflected Romanian traditions is being revised National holiday: National Day of Romania, 1 December (1990) Executive branch: *** No entry for this item *** president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate (Senat) and a lower house or House of Deputies (Adunarea Deputatilor) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice Leaders: Chief of State: President Ion ILIESCU (since 20 June 1990, previously President of Provisional Council of National Unity since 23 December 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Teodor STOLOJAN (since 2 October 1991) Political parties and leaders: National Salvation Front (FSN), Petre ROMAN; Democratuc National Salvation Front (DNSF), Olivia GHERMAN; Magyar Democratic Union (UDMR), Geza DOMOKOS; National Liberal Party (PNL), Radu CAMPEANU; National Peasants' Christian and Democratic Party (PNTCD), Corneliu COPOSU; Ecology Movement (MER), Toma Gheorghe MAIORESCU; Romanian National Unity Party (PUNR), Radu CEONTEA; there are now more than 100 other parties; note - although the Communist Party has ceased to exist, small proto-Communist parties, notably the Socialist Labor Party, have been formed Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 20 May 1990 (next to be held NA 1992); results - Ion ILIESCU 85%, Radu CAMPEANU 10.5%, Ion RATIU 3.8% Senate: last held 20 May 1990 (next to be held NA 1992); results - FSN 67%, other 33%; seats - (118 total) FSN 92, UDMR 12, PNL 9, PUNR 2, PNTCD 1, MER 1, other 1 House of Deputies: last held 20 May 1990 (next to be held NA 1992); results - FSN 66%, UDMR 7%, PNL 6%, MER 2%, PNTCD 2%, PUNR 2%, other 15%; seats - (387 total) FSN 263, UDMR 29, PNL 29, PNTCD 12, MER 12, PUNR 9, other 33 :Romania Government:Romania Government Member of: BIS, CCC, CSCE, ECE, FAO, G-9, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBEC, IBRD, ICAO, IFAD, IFC, IIB, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Aurel MUNTEANU; Chancery at 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-4747 US: Ambassador John R. DAVIS; Embassy at Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest (mailing address is APO AE 09213-5260); telephone [40] (0) 10-40-40; FAX [40] (0) 12-03-95 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:Romania Economy Overview: Industry, which accounts for about one-third of the labor force and generates over half the GDP, suffers from an aging capital plant and persistent shortages of energy. The year 1991 witnessed about a 17% drop in industrial production because of energy and input shortages and labor unrest. In recent years the agricultural sector has had to contend with flooding, mismanagement, shortages of inputs, and disarray caused by the dismantling of cooperatives. A shortage of fuel and equipment in 1991 contributed to a lackluster harvest, a problem compounded by corruption and a poor distribution system. The new government is loosening the tight central controls of CEAUSESCU'S command economy. It has instituted moderate land reforms, with more than one-half of cropland now in private hands, and it has liberalized private agricultural output. Also, the new regime is permitting the establishment of private enterprises, largely in services, handicrafts, and small-scale industry. A law providing for the privatization of large state firms has been passed. Most of the large state firms have been converted into joint-stock companies, but the selling of shares and assets to private owners has been delayed. While the government has halted the old policy of diverting food from domestic consumption to hard currency export markets, supplies remain scarce in some areas. Furthermore, real wages in Romania fell about 20% in 1991, contributing to the unrest which forced the resignation of ROMAN in September. The new government continues to impose price ceilings on key consumer items. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $71.9 billion, per capita $3,100; real growth rate - 12% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 215% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 4% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $19 billion; expenditures $20 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.1 billion (1991 est.) Exports: $4.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment 29.3%, fuels, minerals and metals 32.1%, manufactured consumer goods 18.1%, agricultural materials and forestry products 9.0%, other 11.5% (1989) partners: USSR 27%, Eastern Europe 23%, EC 15%, US 5%, China 4% (1987) Imports: $5.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: fuels, minerals, and metals 56.0%, machinery and equipment 25.5%, agricultural and forestry products 8.6%, manufactured consumer goods 3.4%, other 6.5% (1989) partners: Communist countries 60%, non-Communist countries 40% (1987) External debt: $2 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate -17% (1991 est.) Electricity: 22,700,000 kW capacity; 64,200 million kWh produced, 2,760 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, machine building, food processing, petroleum :Romania Economy:Romania Economy Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP and 28% of labor force; major wheat and corn producer; other products - sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, milk, eggs, meat, grapes Illicit drugs: transshipment point for southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route Economic aid: donor - $4.4 billion in bilateral aid to non-Communist less developed countries (1956-89) Currency: leu (plural - lei); 1 leu (L) = 100 bani Exchange rates: lei (L) per US$1 - 198.00 (March 1992), 76.39 (1991), 22.432 (1990), 14.922 (1989), 14.277 (1988), 14.557 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Romania Communications:Romania Communications Railroads: 11,275 km total; 10,860 km 1.435-meter gauge, 370 km narrow gauge, 45 km broad gauge; 3,411 km electrified, 3,060 km double track; government owned (1987) Highways: 72,799 km total; 35,970 km paved; 27,729 km gravel, crushed stone, and other stabilized surfaces; 9,100 km unsurfaced roads (1985) Inland waterways: 1,724 km (1984) Pipelines: crude oil 2,800 km, petroleum products 1,429 km, natural gas 6,400 km Ports: Constanta, Galati, Braila, Mangalia; inland ports are Giurgiu, Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Orsova Merchant marine: 262 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,320,373 GRT/5,207,580 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 174 cargo, 2 container, 1 rail-car carrier, 9 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 13 petroleum tanker, 60 bulk, 2 combination ore/oil Civil air: 59 major transport aircraft Airports: 165 total, 165 usable; 25 with permanent-surface runways; 15 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor service; about 2.3 million telephone customers; 89% of phone network is automatic; cable and open wire; trunk network is microwave; present phone density is 9.85 per 100 residents; roughly 3,300 villages with no service (February 1990); broadcast stations - 12 AM, 5 FM, 13 TV (1990); 1 satellite ground station using INTELSAT :Romania Defense Forces:Romania Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Paramilitary Forces, Civil Defense Manpower availability: males 15-49, 5,799,837; 4,909,642 fit for military service; 184,913 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - 50 billion lei (unofficial), NA% of GDP (1991); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results :Russia Geography:Russia Geography Total area: 17,075,200 km2 Land area: 16,995,800 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 1.8 times the size of the US Land boundaries: 20,139 km total; Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 290 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km, Latvia 217 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,441 km, Norway 167 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Ukraine 1,576 km Coastline: 37,653 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: 200-meter depth or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: inherited disputes from former USSR including: sections of the boundary with China, a section of the boundary with Tajikistan; boundary with Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia; Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan Islands and the Habomai island group occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, claimed by Japan; maritime dispute with Norway over portion of the Barents Sea; 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: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: despite its size, only a small percentage of land is arable and much is too far north; permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; catastrophic pollution of land, air, water, including both inland waterways and sea coasts Note: largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world :Russia People:Russia People Population: 149,527,479 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4% (1992) Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 31 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Russian(s); adjective - Russian Ethnic divisions: Estonian NA%, Latvian NA%, Lithuanian NA%, Russian NA%, other NA% Religions: Russian Orthodox NA%, unknown NA%, none NA%, other NA% Languages: Estonian NA%, Latvian NA%, Lithuanian NA%, Russian NA%, other NA% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 78,682,000 (1989); industry and construction 43.0%, agriculture and forestry 13.0%, transport and communication 7.9%, trade and distribution 7.9%, other 28.2% Organized labor: NA :Russia Government:Russia Government Long-form name: Russian Federation Type: federation Capital: Moscow Administrative divisions: 20 autonomous republics (avtomnykh respublik, singular - automnaya respublika); Adygea (Maykop), Bashkortostan (Ufa), Buryatia (Ulan-Ude), Checheno-Ingushetia (Groznyy), Chuvashia (Cheboksary), Dagestan (Makhachkala), Gorno-Altay (Gorno-Altaysk), Kabardino-Balkaria (Nal`chik), Kalmykia (Elista), Karachay-Cherkessia (Cherkessk), Karelia (Petrozavodsk), Khakassia (Abakan), Komi (Syktyvkar), Mari El (Yoshkar-Ola), Mordvinia (Saransk), North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz; formerly Ordzhonikidze), Tatarstan (Kazan'), Tuva (Kyzyl), Udmurtia (Izhevsk), Yakutia (Yakutsk); 49 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast'); Amur (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', Belgorod, Bryansk, Chelyabinsk, Chita, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Kaliningrad, Kaluga, Kamchata (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma, Kurgan, Kursk, Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Lipetsk, Magadan, Moscow, Murmansk, Nizhegorod (Nizhniy Novgorod; formerly Gor'kiy), Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Orel, Orenburg, Penza, Perm', Pskov, Rostov, Ryazan', Sakhalin (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samara (formerly Kuybyshev), Saratov, Smolensk, Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), Tambov, Tomsk, Tula, Tver' (formerly Kalinin), Tyumen', Ul'yanovsk, Vladmir, Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Yaroslavl'; 6 krays (krayer, singular - kray); Altay (Barnaul), Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Primorskiy (Vladivostok), Stavropol; note - the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg have oblast status; an administrative division has the same name as its administrative center (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses); it is possible that 4 more administrative divisions will be added Independence: 24 August 1991, declared by Supreme Council (from Soviet Union; formerly Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic); 1 December 1991 referendum on independence passed Constitution: a new constitution is in the process of being drafted Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, vice president, Security Council, President's Administration, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: Congress of People's Deputies, Supreme Soviet Judicial branch: Constitutional Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: *** No entry for this item *** President Boris YEL'TSIN (since 12 June 1991), Vice President Aleksandr RUTSKOY (since 12 June 1991), State Secretary Gennadiy BURBULIS (since July 1991); 1st Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Yegor GAYDAR (since March 1992), 2nd Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Aleksandr SHOKHIN (since 7 November 1991) :Russia Government:Russia Government Political parties and leaders: Democratic Russia, A. Lev PONOMAREV and Gleb YAKUNIN, cochairmen; Democratic Party of Russia, Nikolay TRAVKIN, chairman; People's Party of Free Russia, Aleksandr RUTSKOY, chairman; Russian Movement for Democratic Reforms, Gavriil POPOV, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 12 June 1991 (next to be held 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA% Congress of People's Deputies: last held March 1990 (next to be held 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA%; seats - (1,063 total) number of seats by party NA Supreme Soviet: last held May 1990 (next to be held 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA%; seats - (252 total) number of seats by party NA Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CIS, CSCE, ESCAP, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IMF, INTERPOL, IMO, INMARSAT, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NSG, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZG Diplomatic representation: Ambassador LUKIN; Chancery at 1125 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 628-7551 US: Ambassador Robert S. STRAUSS; Embassy at Ulitsa Chaykovskogo 19/21/23, Moscow (mailing address is APO AE 09721); telephone [7] (095) 252-2450 through 59; there is a consulate at St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad); future consulates will be in Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok Flag: tricolor; three equal bands of white (top), blue, red (bottom) :Russia Economy:Russia Economy Overview: Russia, one of the world's largest economies, possesses a wealth of natural resources and a diverse industrial base. Within the now-dismantled USSR, it had produced 60% of total output, with 55% of the total labor force and 60% of the total capital stock. Russia depends on its world-class deposits of oil and gas not only for its own needs but also for vital hard currency earnings. Self-sufficient in coal and iron ore, it has a crude steel production capacity of about 95 million tons, second only to Japan. Russia's machine-building sector - 60% of the old USSR's - lags behind world standards of efficiency and quality of product. Other major industrial sectors - chemicals, construction materials, light industry, and food processing - also suffer from quality problems, obsolescent capital equipment, and pollution. Consumer goods have had lower priority, and the product mix has not mirrored household preferences. Furthermore, the transition to a more market-oriented economy has disrupted channels of supply to factories and distribution outlets; substantial imports of foods and medical supplies have helped maintain minimum standards of consumption. Russia inherited 70% of the former USSR's defense production facilities and is experiencing major social problems during conversion of many of these plants to civilian production. Russia produces almost half of the old USSR's farm products, but most warm-climate crops must be imported. Under the old USSR, production of industrial and agricultural goods often was concentrated in a single firm or a single republic. Today, producing units often have lost their major customers and their major sources of supply, and the market institutions and incentives for adjusting to the new political and economic situations are only slowly emerging. Rank-and-file Russians will continue to suffer major deprivations in 1992 and beyond before the country begins to realize its great economic potential. The comprehensive economic reform program enacted in January 1992 faces many economic and political hurdles before it will lead to sustained economic growth. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate - 9% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 89% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: NA Exports: $58.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, wood and wood products, coal, nonferrous metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and military manufactures partners: Western Europe, Japan, Eastern Europe Imports: $43.5 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, consumer goods, grain, meat, semifinished metal products partners: Western and Eastern Europe, Japan, Third World countries, Cuba External debt: $40 billion (end of 1991 est.) Industrial production: -8% after adjustment for inflation due to shift to more expensive products, -2% before this adjustment (1991) :Russia Economy:Russia Economy Electricity: 42,500 MW capacity; 1,100 billion kWh produced, 7,430 kWh per capita (1991) 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, meat, milk, vegetables, fruits; because of its northern location Russia does not grow citrus, cotton, tea, and other warm climate products Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; government has active eradication program; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $NA; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million Currency: ruble (plural - rubles); 1 ruble (R) = 100 kopeks Exchange rates: 150 rubles per US$1 (20 July 1992) but subject to wide fluctuations Fiscal year: calendar year :Russia Communications:Russia Communications Railroads: 87,180 km all 1.520-meter broad gauge (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 879,100 km total (1990); 652,500 km hard-surfaced, 226,600 km earth Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil and petroleum products 68,400 km, natural gas NA km Ports: maritime - St. Petersburg (Leningrad), Kaliningrad, Murmansk, Arkhangel'sk, Novorossiysk, Vladivostok, Nakhodka, Kholmsk, Korsakov, Magadan, Tiksi, Tuapse, Vanino, Vostochnyy, Vyborg; inland - Astrakhan', Nizhniy Novgorod (Gor'kiy), Kazan', Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Samara (Kuybyshev), Moscow, Rostov, Volgograd Merchant marine: 842 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,151,393 GRT/11,308,812 DWT; includes 494 cargo, 39 container, 2 barge carrier, 3 roll-on/float-off, 69 roll-on/roll-off, 131 petroleum tanker, 53 bulk cargo, 9 chemical tanker, 2 specialized liquid carriers, 17 combination ore/oil, 23 passenger Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: NA total, NA usable; NA with permanent-surface runways; NA with runways over 3,659 m; NA with runways 2,440-3,659 m; NA with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: the telephone system is inadequate for a large industrial country, consisting of about 36 million lines of which only about 3% are switched automatically; as of 31 January 1990, 10.8 million applications for telephones for household use could not be satisfied; telephone density is 11 per 100 persons; international connections are made via satellite, land line, microwave, and outdated submarine cables, and are generally unsatisfactory; the international gateway switch in Moscow handles international traffic for the other former Soviet republics as well as for Russia; broadcast stations - 1,050 AM/FM/SW (reach 98.6% of population), 310 TV (580 repeaters) (reach 98% of population); satellite ground stations - INTELSAT, Intersputnik, INMARSAT, Orbita :Russia Defense Forces:Russia Defense Forces Branches: Russian defence forces will be comprised of those ground-, air-, and sea-based conventional assets currently on Russian soil and those scheduled to be withdrawn from other countries; strategic forces will remain under CIS control Manpower availability: males 15-49, 36,288,000; 27,216,000 fit for military service; 1,020,341 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Rwanda Geography:Rwanda Geography Total area: 26,340 km2 Land area: 24,950 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: 893 km total; Burundi 290 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km, Zaire 217 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible Terrain: mostly grassy uplands and hills; mountains in west Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), natural gas, hydropower Land use: arable land 29%; permanent crops 11%; meadows and pastures 18%; forest and woodland 10%; other 32%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: deforestation; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; periodic droughts Note: landlocked :Rwanda People:Rwanda People Population: 8,206,446 (July 1992), growth rate 3.8% (1992) Birth rate: 52 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 108 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 51 years male, 55 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 8.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Rwandan(s); adjective - Rwandan Ethnic divisions: Hutu 90%, Tutsi 9%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 65%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 1%, indigenous beliefs and other 25% Languages: Kinyarwanda, French (official); Kiswahili used in commercial centers Literacy: 50% (male 64%, female 37%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 3,600,000; agriculture 93%, government and services 5%, industry and commerce 2%; 49% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: NA :Rwanda Government:Rwanda Government Long-form name: Republic of Rwanda Type: republic; presidential system in which military leaders hold key offices; on 31 December 1990, the government announced a National Political Charter to serve as a basis for transition to a presidential/parliamentary political system; the 1978 constitution was replaced in June 1991 via popular referendum by a new constitution creating a multiparty system with a president and prime minister Capital: Kigali Administrative divisions: 10 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture in French; plural - NA, singular - prefegitura in Kinyarwanda); Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Rigali, Ruhengeri Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) Constitution: 18 June 1991 Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Development Council (Conseil National de Developpement) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session) Leaders: Chief of State: President Maj. Gen. Juvenal HABYARIMANA (since 5 July 1973) Head of Government: Prime Minister Sylvestre NSANZIMANA (since NA October 1991) Political parties and leaders: Republican Revolutionary Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND), Maj. Gen. Juvenal HABYARIMANA; formerly a one-party state, Rwanda legalized independent parties in mid-1991; since then, at least 10 new political parties have registered; President HABYARIMANA's political movement - the National Revolutionary Movement for Development (MRND) - reorganized itself as a political party and changed its name to the Republican National Movement for Democracy and Development (but kept the same initials - MRND); significant independent parties include: Democratic Republican Movement (MDR), leader NA; Liberal Party (PL), leader NA; Democratic and Socialist Party (PSD), leader NA; note - since October 1990, Rwanda has been involved in a low-intensity conflict with the Rwandan Patriotic Front/Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPF/RPA); the RPF/RPA is primarily an ethnically based organization Suffrage: universal adult, exact age NA Elections: President: last held 19 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results - President Maj. Gen. Juvenal HABYARIMANA reelected :Rwanda Government:Rwanda Government National Development Council: last held 19 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results - MRND is the only party; seats - (70 total) MRND 70 Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Aloys UWIMANA; Chancery at 1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 232-2882 US: Ambassador Robert A. FLATEN; Embassy at Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali (mailing address is B. P. 28, Kigali); telephone [250] 75601 through 75603; FAX [250] 72128 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:Rwanda Economy Overview: 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 have created 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 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. An outbreak of insurgency, also in October, has dampened any prospects for economic improvement. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.1 billion, per capita $300; real growth rate -6.8% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $391 million; expenditures $491 million, including capital expenditures of $225 million (1989 est.) Exports: $111.7 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: coffee 85%, tea, tin, cassiterite, wolframite, pyrethrum partners: Germany, Belgium, Italy, Uganda, UK, France, US Imports: $279.2 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: textiles, foodstuffs, machines and equipment, capital goods, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material partners: US, Belgium, Germany, Kenya, Japan External debt: $911 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.2% (1988); accounts for 17% of GDP Electricity: 30,000 kW capacity; 130 million kWh produced, 15 kWh per capita (1991) 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: accounts for almost 50% of GDP and about 90% of the labor force; cash crops - coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums); main food crops - bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; stock raising; self-sufficiency declining; country imports foodstuffs as farm production fails to keep up with a 3.8% annual growth in population Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $128 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.0 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $45 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $58 million; note - in October 1990 Rwanda launched a Structural Adjustment Program with the IMF; since September 1991, the EC has given $46 million and the US $25 million in support of this program Currency: Rwandan franc (plural - francs); 1 Rwandan franc (RF) = 100 centimes :Rwanda Economy:Rwanda Economy Exchange rates: Rwandan francs (RF) per US$1 - 121.40 (January 1992), 125.14 (1991), 82.60 (1990), 79.98 (1989), 76.45 (1988), 79.67 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Rwanda Communications:Rwanda Communications Highways: 4,885 km total; 460 km paved, 1,725 km gravel and/or improved earth, 2,700 km unimproved Inland waterways: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 8 total, 8 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runway 2,440-3,659 m;2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system with low-capacity radio relay system centered on Kigali; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 (7 repeaters) FM, no TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 SYMPHONIE :Rwanda Defense Forces:Rwanda Defense Forces Branches: Army (including Air Wing), Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,719,936; 876,659 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $37 million, 1.6% of GDP (1988 est.) :Saint Helena Geography:Saint Helena Geography Total area: 410 km2 Land area: 410 km2; includes Ascension, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island, and Tristan da Cunha Comparative area: slightly more than 2.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 60 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: very few perennial streams Note: located 1,920 km west of Angola, about two-thirds of the way between South America and Africa; Napoleon Bonaparte's place of exile and burial; the remains were taken to Paris in 1840 :Saint Helena People:Saint Helena People Population: 6,698 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992) Birth rate: 10 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 40 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Saint Helenian(s); adjective - Saint Helenian Ethnic divisions: NA Religions: Anglican majority; also Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, and Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: 98% (male 97%, female 98%) age 15 and over can read and write (1987) Labor force: NA Organized labor: Saint Helena General Workers' Union, 472 members; crafts 17%, professional and technical 10%, service 10%, management and clerical 9%, farming and fishing 9%, transport 6%, sales 5%, and other 34% :Saint Helena Government:Saint Helena Government Long-form name: none Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Jamestown Administrative divisions: 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha* Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 1 January 1967 Legal system: NA National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June), 10 June 1989 Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Governor A. N. HOOLE Political parties and leaders: Saint Helena Labor Party, leader NA; Saint Helena Progressive Party, leader NA; note - both political parties inactive since 1976 Suffrage: NA Elections: Legislative Council: last held October 1984 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total, 12 elected) number of seats by party NA Member of: ICFTU 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:Saint Helena Economy Overview: The economy depends primarily on financial assistance from the UK. The local population earns some income from fishing, the rearing of livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, a large proportion of the work force has left to seek employment overseas. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.1% (1986) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $3.2 million; expenditures $2.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1984) Exports: $23.9 thousand (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: fish (frozen and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), handicrafts partners: South Africa, UK Imports: $2.4 million (c.i.f., 1984) 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: 9,800 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 1,390 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fish Agriculture: maize, potatoes, vegetables; timber production being developed; crawfishing on Tristan da Cunha Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $198 million Currency: Saint Helenian pound (plural - pounds); 1 Saint Helenian pound (#S) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Saint Helenian pounds (#S) per US$1 - 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987); note - the Saint Helenian pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Saint Helena Communications:Saint Helena Communications Highways: 87 km paved roads, 20 km earth roads on Saint Helena; 80 km paved roads on Ascension; 2.7 km paved roads on Tristan da Cunha Ports: Jamestown (Saint Helena), Georgetown (Ascension) Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 2,440-3,659 m on Ascension Telecommunications: 1,500 radio receivers; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 550 telephones in automatic network; HF radio links to Ascension, then into worldwide submarine cable and satellite networks; major coaxial submarine cable relay point between South Africa, Portugal, and UK at Ascension; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Saint Helena Defense Forces:Saint Helena Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Saint Kitts and Nevis Geography:Saint Kitts and Nevis Geography Total area: 269 km2 Land area: 269 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 135 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm 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% Environment: subject to hurricanes (July to October) Note: located 320 km east-southeast of Puerto Rico :Saint Kitts and Nevis People:Saint Kitts and Nevis People Population: 40,061 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992) Birth rate: 22 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -9 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 69 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Kittsian(s), Nevisian(s); adjective - Kittsian, Nevisian Ethnic divisions: mainly of black African descent Religions: Anglican, other Protestant sects, Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: 98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 20,000 (1981) Organized labor: 6,700 :Saint Kitts and Nevis Government:Saint Kitts and Nevis Government Long-form name: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis; formerly Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Basseterre Administrative divisions: 14 parishs; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capisterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point Independence: 19 September 1983 (from UK) Constitution: 19 September 1983 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clement Athelston ARRINDELL (since 19 September 1983, previously Governor General of the Associated State since NA November 1981) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr. Kennedy Alphonse SIMMONDS (since 19 September 1983, previously Premier of the Associated State since NA February 1980); Deputy Prime Minister Michael Oliver POWELL (since NA) Political parties and leaders: People's Action Movement (PAM), Kennedy SIMMONDS; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party (SKNLP), Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS; Nevis Reformation Party (NRP), Simeon DANIEL; Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Vance AMORY Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: House of Assembly: last held 21 March 1989 (next to be held by 21 March 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (14 total, 11 elected) PAM 6, SKNLP 2, NRP 2, CCM 1 Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IMF, INTERPOL, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO Diplomatic representation: Minister-Counselor (Deputy Chief of Mission), Charge d'Affaires ad interim Aubrey Eric HART; Chancery at Suite 608, 2100 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 833-3550 US: no official presence since the Charge resides in Saint John's (Antigua and Barbuda) :Saint Kitts and Nevis Government:Saint Kitts and Nevis Government Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red :Saint Kitts and Nevis Economy:Saint Kitts and Nevis Economy Overview: The economy has historically depended on the growing and processing of sugarcane and on remittances from overseas workers. In recent years, tourism and export-oriented manufacturing have assumed larger roles. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $146.6 million, per capita $3,650; real growth rate 2.1% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (1990) Unemployment rate: 15% (1989) Budget: revenues $38.1 million; expenditures $68 million, including capital expenditures of $31.5 million (1991) Exports: $24.6 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: sugar, clothing, electronics, postage stamps partners: US 53%, UK 22%, Trinidad and Tobago 5%, OECS 5% (1988) Imports: $103.2 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: foodstuffs, intermediate manufactures, machinery, fuels partners: US 36%, UK 17%, Trinidad and Tobago 6%, Canada 3%, Japan 3%, OECS 4% (1988) External debt: $26.4 million (1988) Industrial production: growth rate 11.8% (1988 est.); accounts for 17% of GDP Electricity: 15,800 kW capacity; 45 million kWh produced, 1,117 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages Agriculture: cash crop - sugarcane; subsistence crops - rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fishing potential not fully exploited; most food imported Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-88), $10.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $67 million Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 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 Communications:Saint Kitts and Nevis Communications Railroads: 58 km 0.760-meter gauge on Saint Kitts for sugarcane Highways: 300 km total; 125 km paved, 125 km otherwise improved, 50 km unimproved earth Ports: Basseterre (Saint Kitts), Charlestown (Nevis) Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good interisland VHF/UHF/SHF radio connections and international link via Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Martin; 2,400 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 4 TV :Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Forces:Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Forces Branches: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force, Coast Guard Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Saint Lucia Geography:Saint Lucia Geography Total area: 620 km2 Land area: 610 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 158 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys 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%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: subject to hurricanes and volcanic activity; deforestation; soil erosion Note: located 700 km southeast of Puerto Rico :Saint Lucia People:Saint Lucia People Population: 151,774 (July 1992), growth rate 1.7% (1992) Birth rate: 26 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 18 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Saint Lucian(s); adjective - Saint Lucian Ethnic divisions: African descent 90.3%, mixed 5.5%, East Indian 3.2%, Caucasian 0.8% Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3% Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: 67% (male 65%, female 69%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1980) Labor force: 43,800; agriculture 43.4%, services 38.9%, industry and commerce 17.7% (1983 est.) Organized labor: 20% of labor force :Saint Lucia Government:Saint Lucia Government Long-form name: none Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Castries Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK) Constitution: 22 February 1979 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Acting Governor General Sir Stanislaus Anthony JAMES (since 10 October 1988) Head of Government: Prime Minister John George Melvin COMPTON (since 3 May 1982) Political parties and leaders: United Workers' Party (UWP), John COMPTON; Saint Lucia Labor Party (SLP), Julian HUNTE; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), George ODLUM Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Assembly: last held 6 April 1987 (next to be held by 27 April 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17 total) UWP 10, SLP 7 Member of: ACCT (associate), ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Dr. Joseph Edsel EDMUNDS; Chancery at Suite 309, 2100 M Street NW, Washington, DC 30037; telephone (202) 463-7378 or 7379; there is a Saint Lucian Consulate General in New York US: no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados) Flag: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border :Saint Lucia Economy:Saint Lucia Economy Overview: Since 1983 the economy has shown an impressive average annual growth rate of almost 5% because of strong agricultural and tourist sectors. Saint Lucia also possesses an expanding industrial base supported by foreign investment in manufacturing and other activities, such as in data processing. The economy, however, remains vulnerable because the important agricultural sector is dominated by banana production. Saint Lucia is subject to periodic droughts and/or tropical storms, and its protected market agreement with the UK for bananas may end in 1992. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $295 million, per capita $1,930; real growth rate 4.0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (1990) Unemployment rate: 16.0% (1988) Budget: revenues $131 million; expenditures $149 million, including capital expenditures of $71 million (FY90 est.) Exports: $127 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: bananas 54%, clothing 17%, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil partners: UK 51%, CARICOM 20%, US 19%, other 10% Imports: $270 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: manufactured goods 23%, machinery and transportation equipment 27%, food and live animals 18%, chemicals 10%, fuels 6% partners: US 35%, CARICOM 16%, UK 15%, Japan 7%, Canada 4%, other 23% External debt: $54.5 million (1989) Industrial production: growth rate 3.5% (1990 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP Electricity: 32,500 kW capacity; 112 million kWh produced, 732 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing Agriculture: accounts for 16% of GDP and 43% of labor force; crops - bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus fruit, root crops, cocoa; imports food for the tourist industry Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $120 million Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) :Saint Lucia Communications:Saint Lucia Communications Highways: 760 km total; 500 km paved; 260 km otherwise improved Ports: Castries Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 Telecommunications: fully automatic telephone system; 9,500 telephones; direct microwave link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; interisland troposcatter link to Barbados; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV (cable) :Saint Lucia Defense Forces:Saint Lucia Defense Forces Branches: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Coast Guard Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Saint Pierre and Miquelon Geography:Saint Pierre and Miquelon Geography Total area: 242 km2 Land area: 242 km2; includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute between Canada and France Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy 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% Environment: vegetation scanty Note: located 25 km south of Newfoundland, Canada, in the North Atlantic Ocean :Saint Pierre and Miquelon People:Saint Pierre and Miquelon People Population: 6,513 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4% (1992) Birth rate: 9 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women); adjective - French Ethnic divisions: originally Basques and Bretons (French fishermen) Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: French Literacy: 99% (male 99%, female 99%) age 15 and over can read and write (1982) Labor force: 2,850 (1988) Organized labor: Workers' Force trade union :Saint Pierre and Miquelon Government:Saint Pierre and Miquelon Government Long-form name: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon Type: territorial collectivity of France Capital: Saint-Pierre Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France) Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France); note - has been under French control since 1763 Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law National holiday: National Day, 14 July (Taking of the Bastille) Executive branch: French president, commissioner of the Republic Legislative branch: unicameral General Council Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel) Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Commissioner of the Republic Jean-Pierre MARQUIE (since February 1989); President of the General Council Marc PLANTEGENET (since NA) Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party (PS); Union for French Democracy (UDF/CDS), Gerard GRIGNON Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: General Council: last held September-October 1988 (next to be held NA September 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19 total) Socialist and other left-wing parties 13, UDF and right-wing parties 6 French President: last held 8 May 1988 (next to be held NA May 1995); results - (second ballot) Jacques CHIRAC 56%, Francois MITTERRAND 44% French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PS 1 French National Assembly: last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held NA June 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) UDF/CDS 1; note - Saint Pierre and Miquelon elects 1 member each to the French Senate and the French National Assembly who are voting members Member of: FZ, WFTU Diplomatic representation: as a territorial collectivity of France, local interests are represented in the US by France Flag: the flag of France is used :Saint Pierre and Miquelon Economy: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. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $60 million, per capita $9,500; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 9.6% (1990) Budget: revenues $18.3 million; expenditures $18.3 million, including capital expenditures of $5.5 million (1989) Exports: $25.5 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: fish and fish products, fox and mink pelts partners: US 58%, France 17%, UK 11%, Canada, Portugal Imports: $87.2 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials partners: Canada, France, US, Netherlands, UK External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 10,000 kW capacity; 25 million kWh produced, 3,970 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism Agriculture: vegetables, cattle, sheep and pigs for local consumption; fish catch, 20,500 metric tons (1989) Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $500 million Currency: French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.6397 (March 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Saint Pierre and Miquelon Communications:Saint Pierre and Miquelon Communications Highways: 120 km total; 60 km paved (1985) Ports: Saint Pierre Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways, none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 3,601 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 3 FM, no TV; radio communication with most countries in the world; 1 earth station in French domestic satellite system :Saint Pierre and Miquelon Defense Forces:Saint Pierre and Miquelon Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Geography:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Geography Total area: 340 km2 Land area: 340 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 84 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land 38%; permanent crops 12%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest and woodland 41%; other 3%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: subject to hurricanes; Soufriere volcano is a constant threat Note: some islands of the Grenadines group are administered by Grenada :Saint Vincent and the Grenadines People:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines People Population: 115,339 (July 1992), growth rate 1.1% (1992) Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -7 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s); adjectives - Saint Vincentian or Vincentian Ethnic divisions: mainly of black African descent; remainder mixed, with some white, East Indian, Carib Indian Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: English, some French patois Literacy: 96% (male 96%, female 96%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 67,000 (1984 est.) Organized labor: 10% of labor force :Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Government:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Government Long-form name: none Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Kingstown Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK) Constitution: 27 October 1979 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General David JACK (since 29 September 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister James F. MITCHELL (since 30 July 1984) Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party (NDP), James (Son) MITCHELL; Saint Vincent Labor Party (SVLP), Vincent BEACHE; United People's Movement (UPM), Adrian SAUNDERS; Movement for National Unity (MNU), Ralph GONSALVES; National Reform Party (NRP), Joel MIGUEL Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Assembly: last held 16 May 1989 (next to be held NA July 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total; 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators) NDP 15 Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Kingsley LAYNE; 1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 102, Washington, DC 20036; telephone NA US: no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados) Flag: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern *** No entry for this item *** :Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Economy:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Economy Overview: Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of the economy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The economy continues to have a high unemployment rate of 30% because of an overdependence on the weather-plagued banana crop as a major export earner. Government progress toward diversifying into new industries has been relatively unsuccessful. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $146 million, per capita $1,300; real growth rate 5.9% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.0% (1990) Unemployment rate: 30% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $62 million; expenditures $67 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (FY90 est.) Exports: $75 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: bananas, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch, tennis racquets, flour partners: UK 43%, CARICOM 37%, US 15% Imports: $130 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels partners: US 42%, CARICOM 19%, UK 15% External debt: $50.9 million (1989) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1989); accounts for 14% of GDP Electricity: 16,594 kW capacity; 64 million kWh produced, 560 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing (sugar, flour), cement, furniture, clothing, starch, sheet metal, beverage Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP and 60% of labor force; provides bulk of exports; products - bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, hogs, goats; small fish catch used locally Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $11 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $81 million Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: calendar year (as of January 1991); previously 1 July - 30 June :Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Communications:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Communications Highways: about 1,000 km total; 300 km paved; 400 km improved; 300 km unimproved Ports: Kingstown Merchant marine: 407 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,388,427 GRT/5,511,325 DWT; includes 3 passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 222 cargo, 22 container, 19 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 14 refrigerated cargo, 24 petroleum tanker, 7 chemical tanker, 4 liquefied gas, 73 bulk, 13 combination bulk, 2 vehicle carrier, 1 livestock carrier, 1 specialized tanker; note - China owns 3 ships; a flag of convenience registry Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 6 total, 6 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: islandwide fully automatic telephone system; 6,500 telephones; VHF/UHF interisland links from Saint Vincent to Barbados and the Grenadines; new SHF links to Grenada and Saint Lucia; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV (cable) :Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Defense Forces:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Defense Forces Branches: Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Coast Guard Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :San Marino Geography:San Marino Geography Total area: 60 km2 Land area: 60 km2 Comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 39 km; Italy 39 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers Terrain: rugged mountains Natural resources: building stones Land use: arable land 17%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 83% Environment: dominated by the Appenines Note: landlocked; world's smallest republic; enclave of Italy :San Marino People:San Marino People Population: 23,404 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 8 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sanmarinese (singular and plural); adjective - Sanmarinese Ethnic divisions: Sanmarinese, Italian Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Italian Literacy: 96% (male 96%, female 95%) age 14 and over can read and write (1976) Labor force: about 4,300 Organized labor: Democratic Federation of Sanmarinese Workers (affiliated with ICFTU) has about 1,800 members; Communist-dominated General Federation of Labor, 1,400 members :San Marino Government:San Marino Government Long-form name: Republic of San Marino Type: republic Capital: San Marino Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Monte Giardino, San Marino, Serravalle Independence: 301 AD (by tradition) Constitution: 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitution Legal system: based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic, 3 September Executive branch: two captains regent, Congress of State (cabinet); real executive power is wielded by the secretary of state for foreign affairs and the secretary of state for internal affairs Legislative branch: unicameral Great and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale) Judicial branch: Council of Twelve (Consiglio dei XII) Leaders: Co-Chiefs of State: Captain Regent Edda CETCOLI and Captain Regent Marino RICCARDI (since 1 October 1991) Head of Government: Secretary of State Gabriele GATTI (since July 1986) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (DCS), Piermarino MENICUCCI; San Marino Democratic Progressive Party (PPDS) formerly San Marino Communist Party (PCS), Gilberto GHIOTTI; San Marino Socialist Party (PSS), Remy GIACOMINI; Unitary Socialst Party (PSU); Democratic Movement (MD), Emilio Della BALDA; San Marino Social Democratic Party (PSDS), Augusto CASALI; San Marino Republican Party (PRS), Cristoforo BUSCARINI Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Great and General Council: last held 29 May 1988 (next to be held by NA May 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total) DCS 27, PCS 18, PSU 8, PSS 7 Communists: about 300 members Member of: CE, CSCE, ICAO, ICFTU, ILO, IMF (observer), IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTO Diplomatic representation: San Marino maintains honorary Consulates General in Washington and New York and an honorary Consulate in Detroit :San Marino Government:San Marino Government US: no mission in San Marino, but the Consul General in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino; Consulate General at Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, 38, 50123 Firenze, Italy (mailing address is APO AE 09613; telephone [39] (55) 239-8276 through 8279 and 217-605; FAX [39] (55) 284-088 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word Flag: AS (Liberty) :San Marino Economy:San Marino Economy Overview: More than 2 million tourists visit each year, contributing about 60% to GDP. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is another important income producer. The manufacturing sector employs nearly 40% of the labor force and agriculture less than 4%. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to northern Italy. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $400 million, per capita $17,000; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1990) Unemployment rate: 6.5% (1985) Budget: revenues $99.2 million; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1983) Exports: *** No entry for this item *** trade data are included with the statistics for Italy; commodity trade consists primarily of exchanging building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, and ceramics for a wide variety of consumer manufactures Imports: see External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: supplied by Italy Industries: wine, olive oil, cement, leather, textile, tourism Agriculture: employs less than 4% of labor force; products - wheat, grapes, corn, olives, meat, cheese, hides; small numbers of cattle, pigs, horses; depends on Italy for food imports Economic aid: NA Currency: Italian lira (plural - lire); 1 Italian lira (Lit) = 100 centesimi; also mints its own coins Exchange rates: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,248.4 (March 1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988), 1,296.1 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :San Marino Communications:San Marino Communications Highways: 104 km Telecommunications: automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system; 11,700 telephones; broadcast services from Italy; microwave and cable links into Italian networks; no communication satellite facilities :San Marino Defense Forces:San Marino Defense Forces Branches: public security or police force of less than 50 people Manpower availability: all fit men ages 16-60 constitute a militia that can serve as an army Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Sao Tome and Principe Geography:Sao Tome and Principe Geography Total area: 960 km2 Land area: 960 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 5.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 209 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops 20%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 75%; other 3% Environment: deforestation; soil erosion Note: located south of Nigeria and west of Gabon near the Equator in the North Atlantic Ocean :Sao Tome and Principe People:Sao Tome and Principe People Population: 132,338 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992) Birth rate: 38 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 58 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 68 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sao Tomean(s); adjective - Sao Tomean Ethnic divisions: mestico, angolares (descendents of Angolan slaves), forros (descendents of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), and Europeans (primarily Portuguese) Religions: Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: Portuguese (official) Literacy: 57% (male 73%, female 42%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 21,096 (1981); most of population engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; labor shortages on plantations and of skilled workers; 56% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: NA :Sao Tome and Principe Government:Sao Tome and Principe Government Long-form name: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe Type: republic Capital: Sao Tome Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Principe, Sao Tome Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal) Constitution: 5 November 1975, approved 15 December 1982 Legal system: based on Portuguese law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly (Assembleia Popular Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Miguel TROVOADA (since 4 April 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Noberto COSTA ALEGRE (since 16 May 1992) Political parties and leaders: Party for Democratic Convergence-Reflection Group (PCD-GR), Prime Minister Daniel Lima Dos Santos DAIO, secretary general; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe (MLSTP), Carlos da GRACA; Christian Democratic Front (FDC), Alphonse Dos SANTOS; Democratic Opposition Coalition (CODO), leader NA; other small parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 3 March 1991 (next to be held NA March 1996); results - Miguel TROVOADA was elected without opposition in Sao Tome's first multiparty presidential election National People's Assembly: last held 20 January 1991 (next to be held NA January 1996); results - PCD-GR 54.4%, MLSTP 30.5%, CODO 5.2%, FDC 1.5%, other 8.3%; seats - (55 total) PCD-GR 33, MLSTP 21, CODO 1; note - this was the first multiparty election in Sao Tome and Principe Member of: ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Joaquim Rafael BRANCO; Chancery (temporary) at 801 Second Avenue, Suite 603, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 697-4211 US: Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands :Sao Tome and Principe Government:Sao Tome and Principe Government Flag: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia :Sao Tome and Principe Economy:Sao Tome and Principe Economy Overview: The economy has remained dependent on cocoa since the country gained independence nearly 15 years ago. Since then, however, cocoa production has gradually deteriorated because of drought and mismanagement, so that by 1987 output had fallen to less than 50% of its former levels. As a result, a shortage of cocoa for export has created a serious balance-of-payments problem. Production of less important crops, such as coffee, copra, and palm kernels, has also declined. The value of imports generally exceeds that of exports by a ratio of 4:1. The emphasis on cocoa production at the expense of other food crops has meant that Sao Tome has to import 90% of food needs. It also has to import all fuels and most manufactured goods. Over the years, Sao Tome has been unable to service its external debt, which amounts to roughly 80% of export earnings. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also implemented a Five-Year Plan covering 1986-90 to restructure the economy and reschedule external debt service payments in cooperation with the International Development Association and Western lenders. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $46.0 million, per capita $400; real growth rate 1.5% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 36% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $10.2 million; expenditures $36.8 million, including capital expenditures of $22.5 million (1989) Exports: $4.4 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: cocoa 85%, copra, coffee, palm oil partners: FRG, GDR, Netherlands, China Imports: $21.3 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: machinery and electrical equipment 54%, food products 23%, other 23% partners: Portugal, GDR, Angola, China External debt: $147 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.1% (1986) Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 80 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: light construction, shirts, soap, beer, fisheries, shrimp processing Agriculture: dominant sector of economy, primary source of exports; cash crops - cocoa (85%), coconuts, palm kernels, coffee; food products - bananas, papaya, beans, poultry, fish; not self-sufficient in food grain and meat Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $8 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $89 million Currency: dobra (plural - dobras); 1 dobra (Db) = 100 centimos :Sao Tome and Principe Economy:Sao Tome and Principe Economy Exchange rates: dobras (Db) per US$1 - 260.0 (November 1991), 122.48 (December 1988), 72.827 (1987), 36.993 (1986) Fiscal year: calendar year :Sao Tome and Principe Communications:Sao Tome and Principe Communications Highways: 300 km (two-thirds are paved); roads on Principe are mostly unpaved and in need of repair Ports: Sao Tome, Santo Antonio Civil air: 10 major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: minimal system; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 2 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Sao Tome and Principe Defense Forces:Sao Tome and Principe Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 30,188; 15,918 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Saudi Arabia Geography:Saudi Arabia Geography Total area: 1,945,000 km2 Land area: 1,945,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US Land boundaries: 4,532 km total; Iraq 808 km, Jordan 742 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 40 km, UAE 586 km, Yemen 1,458 km Coastline: 2,510 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 18 nm Continental shelf: not specific Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: no defined boundaries with Yemen; location and status of Saudi Arabia's boundaries with Qatar and UAE are unresolved; Kuwaiti ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim Islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia Climate: harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 39%; forest and woodland 1%; other 59%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: no perennial rivers or permanent water bodies; developing extensive coastal seawater desalination facilities; desertification Note: extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal :Saudi Arabia People:Saudi Arabia People Population: 17,050,934 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992); note - the population figure is based on growth since the last official Saudi census of 1974 that reported a total of 7 million persons and included foreign workers; estimates from other sources may be 15-30% lower Birth rate: 39 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 59 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 68 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Saudi(s); adjective - Saudi or Saudi Arabian Ethnic divisions: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Arabic Literacy: 62% (male 73%, female 48%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 5,000,000; about 60% are foreign workers; government 34%, industry and oil 28%, services 22%, and agriculture 16% Organized labor: trade unions are illegal :Saudi Arabia Government:Saudi Arabia Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Type: monarchy Capital: Riyadh Administrative divisions: 14 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Al Qurayyat, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah, `Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification) Constitution: none; governed according to Shari`a (Islamic law) Legal system: based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) Executive branch: monarch and prime minister, crown prince and deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: none Judicial branch: Supreme Council of Justice Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin `Abd al-`Aziz Al Sa`ud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister `ABDALLAH bin `Abd al-`Aziz Al Sa`ud (half-brother to the King, appointed heir to the throne 13 June 1982) Suffrage: none Elections: none Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador BANDAR Bin Sultan; Chancery at 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 342-3800; there are Saudi Arabian Consulates General in Houston, Los Angeles, and New York US: Ambassador Charles W. FREEMAN, Jr.; Embassy at Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh (mailing address is American Embassy, Unit 61307, Riyadh; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693; or APO AE 09803-1307); telephone [966] (1) 488-3800; Telex 406866; there are US Consulates General in Dhahran and Jiddah (Jeddah) Flag: green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green is the traditional color of Islam :Saudi Arabia Economy:Saudi Arabia Economy Overview: The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 70% of budget revenues, 37% of GDP, and almost all export earnings. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. For the 1990s the government intends to encourage private economic activity and to foster the gradual process of turning Saudi Arabia into a modern industrial state that retains traditional Islamic values. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $104 billion, per capita $5,800; real growth rate 1.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 0% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $40.3 billion; expenditures $48.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $44.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 85% partners: US 22%, Japan 22%, Singapore 7%, France 6% Imports: $21.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: manufactured goods, transportation equipment, construction materials, processed food products partners: US 16%, UK 14%, Japan 14%, FRG 7% External debt: $18.9 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -1.1% (1989 est.); accounts for 37% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 30,000,000 kW capacity; 60,000 million kWh produced, 3,300 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, small steel-rolling mill, construction, fertilizer, plastic Agriculture: accounts for about 10% of GDP, 16% of labor force; fastest growing economic sector; subsidized by government; products - wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus fruit, mutton, chickens, eggs, milk; approaching self-sufficiency in food Economic aid: donor - pledged $64.7 billion in bilateral aid (1979-89) Currency: Saudi riyal (plural - riyals); 1 Saudi riyal (SR) = 100 halalas Exchange rates: Saudi riyals (SR) per US$1 - 3.7450 (fixed rate since late 1986), 3.7033 (1986) Fiscal year: calendar year :Saudi Arabia Communications:Saudi Arabia Communications Railroads: 886 km 1.435-meter standard gauge Highways: 74,000 km total; 35,000 km paved, 39,000 km gravel and improved earth Pipelines: crude oil 6,400 km, petroleum products 150 km, natural gas 2,200 km, includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km Ports: Jiddah, Ad Dammam, Ras Tanura, Jizan, Al Jubayl, Yanbu al Bahr, Yanbu al Sinaiyah Merchant marine: 8l ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 884,470 GRT/1,254,882 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 7 short-sea passenger, 11 cargo, 14 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 container, 6 refrigerated cargo, 5 livestock carrier, 24 petroleum tanker, 7 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 1 specialized tanker, 1 bulk Civil air: 104 major transport aircraft available Airports: 211 total, 191 usable; 70 with permanent-surface runways; 14 with runways over 3,659 m; 37 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 105 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good system with extensive microwave and coaxial and fiber optic cable systems; 1,624,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 43 AM, 13 FM, 80 TV; radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; earth stations - 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT, 1 INMARSAT :Saudi Arabia Defense Forces:Saudi Arabia Defense Forces Branches: Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Coast Guard, Frontier Forces, Special Security Force, Public Security Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 5,619,147; 3,118,261 fit for military service; 133,314 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14.5 billion, 13% of GDP (1992 budget) :Senegal Geography:Senegal Geography Total area: 196,190 km2 Land area: 192,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than South Dakota Land boundaries: 2,640 km total; The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km Coastline: 531 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: short section of the boundary with The Gambia is indefinite; the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 12 November 1991 rendered its decision on the Guinea-Bissau/ Senegal maritime boundary in favor of Senegal - that decision has been rejected by Guinea-Bissau; boundary with Mauritania Climate: tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (December to April) has strong southeast winds; dry season (May to November) dominated by hot, dry harmattan wind Terrain: generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore Land use: arable land 27%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 30%; forest and woodland 31%; other 12%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: lowlands seasonally flooded; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: The Gambia is almost an enclave :Senegal People:Senegal People Population: 8,205,058 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 80 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 54 years male, 57 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Senegalese (singular and plural); adjective - Senegalese Ethnic divisions: Wolof 36%, Fulani 17%, Serer 17%, Toucouleur 9%, Diola 9%, Mandingo 9%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 2% Religions: Muslim 92%, indigenous beliefs 6%, Christian 2% (mostly Roman Catholic) Languages: French (official); Wolof, Pulaar, Diola, Mandingo Literacy: 38% (male 52%, female 25%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,509,000; 77% subsistence agricultural workers; 175,000 wage earners - private sector 40%, government and parapublic 60%; 52% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: majority of wage-labor force represented by unions; however, dues-paying membership very limited; major confederation is National Confederation of Senegalese Labor (CNTS), an affiliate of the governing party :Senegal Government:Senegal Government Long-form name: Republic of Senegal Type: republic under multiparty democratic rule Capital: Dakar Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor Independence: 20 August 1960 (from France); The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 (effective 1 February 1982) that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989 Constitution: 3 March 1963, last revised in 1991 Legal system: based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court, which also audits the government's accounting office; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 4 April (1960) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President Abdou DIOUF (since 1 January 1981) Head of Government: Prime Minister Habib THIAM (since 7 April 1991) Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party (PS), President Abdou DIOUF; Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), Abdoulaye WADE; 13 other small uninfluential parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 28 February 1988 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - Abdou DIOUF (PS) 73%, Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 26%, other 1% National Assembly: last held 28 February 1988 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - PS 71%, PDS 25%, other 4%; seats - (120 total) PS 103, PDS 17 Other political or pressure groups: students, teachers, labor, Muslim Brotherhoods Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ibra Deguene KA; Chancery at 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-0540 or 0541 US: Ambassador Katherine SHIRLEY; Embassy on Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Avenue Kleber, Dakar (mailing address is B. P. 49, Dakar); telephone [221] 23-42-96 or 23-34-24; FAX [221] 22-29-91 :Senegal Government:Senegal Government Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia :Senegal Economy:Senegal Economy Overview: The agricultural sector accounts for about 20% of GDP and provides employment for about 75% of the labor force. About 40% of the total cultivated land is used to grow peanuts, an important export crop. The principal economic resource is fishing, which brought in about $200 million or about 25% of total foreign exchange earnings in 1987. Mining is dominated by the extraction of phosphate, but production has faltered because of reduced worldwide demand for fertilizers in recent years. Over the past 10 years tourism has become increasingly important to the economy. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.0 billion, per capita $615; real growth rate 3.6% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.0% (1990) Unemployment rate: 3.5% (1987) Budget: revenues $921 million; expenditures $1,024 million; including capital expenditures of $14 million (FY89 est.) Exports: $814 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: manufactures 30%, fish products 27%, peanuts 11%, petroleum products 11%, phosphates 10% partners: France, other EC members, Mali, Ivory Coast, India Imports: $1.05 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: semimanufactures 30%, food 27%, durable consumer goods 17%, petroleum 12%, capital goods 14% partners: France, other EC, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria, China, Japan External debt: $2.9 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 4.7% (1989); accounts for 15% of GDP Electricity: 215,000 kW capacity; 760 million kWh produced, 100 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, petroleum refining, building materials Agriculture: including fishing, accounts for 20% of GDP and more than 75% of labor force; major products - peanuts (cash crop), millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; estimated two-thirds self-sufficient in food; fish catch of 299,000 metric tons in 1987 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $551 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $5.23 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $589 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $295 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) :Senegal Economy:Senegal Economy Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June; note - in January 1993, Senegal will switch to a calendar year :Senegal Communications:Senegal Communications Railroads: 1,034 km 1.000-meter gauge; all single track except 70 km double track Dakar to Thies Highways: 14,007 km total; 3,777 km paved, 10,230 km laterite or improved earth Inland waterways: 897 km total; 785 km on the Senegal, 112 km on the Saloum Ports: Dakar, Kaolack, Foundiougne, Ziguinchor Merchant marine: 2 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 7,676 GRT/12,310 DWT; includes 1 cargo, 1 bulk Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 25 total, 19 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: above-average urban system, using microwave and cable; broadcast stations - 8 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 3 submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Senegal Defense Forces:Senegal Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,814,452; 947,723 fit for military service; 88,271 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 2% of GDP (1989 est.) :Serbia and Montenegro Geography:Serbia and Montenegro Geography Total area: 102,350 km2 Land area: 102,136 km2: note - Serbia has a total area and a land area of 88,412 km2 while Montenegro has a total area of 13,938 km2 and a land area of 13,724 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Kentucky; note - Serbia is slightly larger than Maine while Montenegro is slightly larger than Connecticut Land boundaries: 2,234 km total; Albania 287 km (114 km with Serbia, 173 km with Montenegro), Bosnia and Hercegovina 527 km (312 km with Serbia, 215 km with Montenegro), Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia (north) 239 km, Croatia (south) 15 km, Hungary 151 km, Macedonia 221 km, Romania 476 km; note - the internal boundary between Montenegro and Serbia is 211 km Coastline: 199 km; Montenegro 199 km, Serbia 0 km Maritime claims: none - landlocked Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: NA meter depth Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Sandzak region bordering northern Montenegro and southeastern Serbia - Muslims seeking autonomy; Vojvodina taken from Hungary and awarded to the former Yugoslavia (Serbia) by Treaty of Trianon in 1920; disputes with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia over Serbian populated areas; Albanian minority in Kosovo seeks independence from Serbian Republic Climate: in the north, continental climate - cold winter and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall; central portion, continental and Mediterranean climate; to the south, Adriatic climate along the coast, hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall inland Terrain: extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountain and hills; to the southwest, extremely high shoreline with no islands off the coast; home of largest lake in former Yugoslavia, Lake Scutari Natural resources: oil, gas, coal, antimony, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, gold, pyrite, chrome Land use: arable land 30%; permanent crops 5%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest and woodland 25%; other 20%; includes irrigated 5% Environment: coastal water pollution from sewage outlets, especially in tourist related areas such as Kotor; air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water pollution along Danube from industrial waste dump into the Sava which drains into the Danube; subject to destructive earthquakes Note: controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along the Adriatic coast :Serbia and Montenegro People:Serbia and Montenegro People Population: 10,642,000 (July 1992), growth rate NA% (1991) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: Serbia - 70.11 years male, 75.21 years female (1992); Montenegro - 76.33 years male, 82.27 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Serbian(s) and Montenegrin(s); adjective - Serbian and Montenegrin Ethnic divisions: Serbs 63%, Albanians 14%, Montenegrins 6%, Hungarians 4% Religions: Orthodox 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, other 11% Languages: Serbo-Croatian 100% Literacy: 89% (male 95%, female 83%) age 10 and over can read and write (1991 est.) Labor force: 2,640,909; industry, mining 40%, agriculture 5% (1990) Organized labor: NA :Serbia and Montenegro Government:Serbia and Montenegro Government Long-form name: none Type: republic Capital: Belgrade Administrative divisions: 2 provinces (pokajine, singular - pokajina); and 2 automous provinces*; Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia, Vojvodina* Independence: NA April 1992 Constitution: NA April 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, vice president, prime minister, deputy prime minister Legislative branch: Parliament Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Dobric COSIC (since NA), Vice President Branko KOSTIC (since July 1991); note - Slobodan MILOSEVIC is president of Serbia Head of Government: Prime Minister Milan PANIC (since 14 July 1992), Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr MITROVIC (since March 1989) Political parties and leaders: former Communisty Party, Slobodan MILOSEVIC; Serbian Radical Party, Vojislav SESELJ; Serbian Renewal Party, Vok DRASKOVIC Suffrage: at age 16 if employed, universal at age 18 Elections: President: NA Parliament: last held 4 June 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (138 total) former Community Party 73, Radical Party 33, other 32 Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CSCE, UN Diplomatic representation: none; US does not recognize Serbia and Montenegro Flag: NA :Serbia and Montenegro Economy:Serbia and Montenegro Economy Overview: The swift collapse of the Yugoslav federation has been accompanied by bloody ethnic warfare, the destabilization of republic boundaries, and the breakup of important interrepublic trade flows. The situation in Serbia and Montenegro remains fluid in view of the extensive political and military strife. This new state faces major economic problems. First, like the other former Yugoslav republics, Serbia and Montenegro depended on their sister republics for large amounts of foodstuffs, energy supplies, and manufactures. Wide varieties in climate, mineral resources, and levels of technology among the six republics accentuated this interdependence, as did the Communist practice of concentrating much industrial output in a small number of giant plants. The breakup of many of the trade links, the sharp drop in output as industrial plants lost suppliers and markets, and the destruction of physical assets in the fighting all have contributed to the economic difficulties of the republics. One singular factor in the economic situation of Serbia and Montenegro is the continuation in office of a Communist government that is primarily interested in political and military mastery, not economic reform. A further complication is the major economic sanctions by the leading industrial nations. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $44 billion, per capita $4,200; real growth rate NA% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 60% per month Unemployment rate: 25-40% Budget: NA Exports: $4.4 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 29%, manufactured goods 28.5%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 13.5%, chemicals 11%, food and live animals 9%, raw materials 6%, fuels and lubricants 2%, beverages and tobacco 1% partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics; Italy, Germany, other EC, the former USSR, East European countries, US Imports: $6.4 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 26%, fuels and lubricants 18%, manufactured goods 16%, chemicals 12.5%, food and live animals 11%, miscellaneous manufactured items 8%, raw materials, including coking coal for the steel industry, 7%, beverages, tobacco, and edible oils 1.5% partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics; the former USSR, EC countries (mainly Italy and Germany), East European countries, US External debt: $4.2 billion (may assume some part of foreign debt of former Yugoslavia) Industrial production: growth rate -20% or greater (1991 est.) Electricity: 8,633,000 kW capacity; 34,600 million kWh produced, 3,496 kWh per capita (1991) :Serbia and Montenegro Economy:Serbia and Montenegro Economy Industries: machine building (aircraft, trucks, and automobiles; armored vehicles and weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural machinery), metallurgy (steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, antimony, bismuth, cadmium), mining (coal, bauxite, nonferrous ore, iron ore, limestone), consumer goods (textiles, footwear, foodstuffs, appliances), electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals Agriculture: the fertile plains of Vojvodina produce 80% of the cereal production of the former Yugoslavia and most of the cotton, oilseeds, and chicory; Vojvodina also produces fodder crops to support intensive beef and dairy production; Serbia proper, although hilly, has a well-distributed rainfall and a long growing season; produces fruit, grapes, and cereals; in this area, livestock production (sheep and cattle) and dairy farming prosper; Kosovo province produces fruits, vegetables, tobacco, and a small amount of cereals; the mountainous pastures of Kosovo and Montenegro support sheep and goat husbandry; Montenegro has only a small agriculture sector, mostly near the coast where a Mediterranean climate permits the culture of olives, citrus, grapes, and rice Illicit drugs: NA Economic aid: NA Currency: Yugoslav New Dinar (plural - New Dinars); 1 Yugo New Dinar (YD) = 100 paras Exchange rates: Yugoslav New Dinars (YD) per US $1 - 28.230 (December 1991), 15.162 (1990), 15.528 (1989), 0.701 (1988), 0.176 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Serbia and Montenegro Communications:Serbia and Montenegro Communications Railroads: NA Highways: 46,019 km total (1990); 26,949 km paved, 10,373 km gravel, 8,697 km earth Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: crude oil 415 km, petroleum products 130 km, natural gas 2,110 km Ports: maritime - Bar; inland - Belgrade Merchant marine: 43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 866,915 GRT/1,449,094 DWT; includes 19 cargo, 5 container, 16 bulk carriers, 2 combination/ore carrier and 1 passenger ship, under Serbian and Montenegrin flag; note - Montenegro also operates 3 bulk carriers under the flags of Panama and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Civil air: NA Airports: NA Telecommunications: 700,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 26 AM, 9 FM, 18 TV; 2,015,000 radios; 1,000,000 TVs; satellite ground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT :Serbia and Montenegro Defense Forces:Serbia and Montenegro Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, and Air Forces Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,545,357; NA fit for military service; 96,832 reach military age (18) annually (est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Seychelles Geography:Seychelles Geography Total area: 455 km2 Land area: 455 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 491 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims Tromelin Island Climate: tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) Terrain: Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees Land use: arable land 4%; permanent crops 18%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 18%; other 60% Environment: lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible; no fresh water - catchments collect rain; 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands Note: located north-northeast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean :Seychelles People:Seychelles People Population: 69,519 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 23 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -8 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 15 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Seychellois (singular and plural); adjective - Seychelles Ethnic divisions: Seychellois (mixture of Asians, Africans, Europeans) Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 8%, other 2% Languages: English and French (official); Creole Literacy: 85% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 27,700; industry and commerce 31%, services 21%, government 20%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 12%, other 16% (1985); 57% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: three major trade unions :Seychelles Government:Seychelles Government Long-form name: Republic of Seychelles Type: republic Capital: Victoria Administrative divisions: 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe Island), Grand' Anse (on Praslin Island), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK) Constitution: 5 June 1979 Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law National holiday: Liberation Day (anniversary of coup), 5 June (1977) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977) Political parties and leaders: ruling party - Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF), France Albert RENE; note - in December 1991, President RENE announced that the Seychelles would begin an immediate transition to a multiparty political system; registration of new political parties was scheduled to begin in January 1992 Suffrage: universal at age 17 Elections: election of delegates to a multiparty constitutional conference is scheduled for June 1992 President: last held 9-11 June 1989 (next to be held NA June 1994); results - President France Albert RENE reelected without opposition People's Assembly: last held 5 December 1987 (next to be held NA December 1992); results - SPPF was the only legal party; seats - (25 total, 23 elected) SPPF 23 Other political or pressure groups: trade unions, Roman Catholic Church Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Second Secretary, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Marc R. MARENGO; Chancery (temporary) at 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 687-9766 US: Ambassador Richard W. CARLSON; Embassy at 4th Floor, Victoria House, Victoria (mailing address is Box 148, Victoria, and Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles, or APO AE 09815-2501); telephone (248) 25256; FAX (248) 25189 :Seychelles Government:Seychelles Government Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (wavy), and green; the white band is the thinnest, the red band is the thickest :Seychelles Economy:Seychelles Economy Overview: In this small, open, tropical island economy, the tourist industry employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the high dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $350 million, per capita $5,200; real growth rate -4.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 9% (1987) Budget: revenues $180 million; expenditures $202 million, including capital expenditures of $32 million (1989) Exports: $40 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: fish, copra, cinnamon bark, petroleum products (reexports) partners: France 63%, Pakistan 12%, Reunion 10%, UK 7% (1987) Imports: $186 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: manufactured goods, food, tobacco, beverages, machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products partners: UK 20%, France 14%, South Africa 13%, PDRY 13%, Singapore 8%, Japan 6% (1987) External debt: $189 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7% (1987); accounts for 10% of GDP Electricity: 30,000 kW capacity; 80 million kWh produced, 1,160 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism, processing of coconut and vanilla, fishing, coir rope factory, boat building, printing, furniture, beverage Agriculture: accounts for 7% of GDP, mostly subsistence farming; cash crops - coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla; other products - sweet potatoes, cassava, bananas; broiler chickens; large share of food needs imported; expansion of tuna fishing under way Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $26 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1978-89), $315 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $5 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $60 million Currency: Seychelles rupee (plural - rupees); 1 Seychelles rupee (SRe) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Seychelles rupees (SRe) per US$1 - 5.2946 (March 1992), 5.2893 (1991), 5.3369 (1990), 5.6457 (1989), 5.3836 (1988), 5.6000 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Seychelles Communications:Seychelles Communications Highways: 260 km total; 160 km paved, 100 km crushed stone or earth Ports: Victoria Merchant marine: 1 refrigerated cargo totaling 1,827 GRT/2,170 DWT Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 14 total, 14 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: direct radio communications with adjacent islands and African coastal countries; 13,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 2 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station; USAF tracking station :Seychelles Defense Forces:Seychelles Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Protection Unit, Police Force, Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 17,739; 9,096 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $12 million, 4% of GDP (1990 est.) :Sierra Leone Geography:Sierra Leone Geography Total area: 71,740 km2 Land area: 71,620 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: 958 km total; Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite Land use: arable land 25%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 31%; forest and woodland 29%; other 13%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: extensive mangrove swamps hinder access to sea; deforestation; soil degradation :Sierra Leone People:Sierra Leone People Population: 4,456,737 (July 1992), growth rate -0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 20 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -28 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 148 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 43 years male, 48 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sierra Leonean(s); adjective - Sierra Leonean Ethnic divisions: native African 99% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%); Creole, European, Lebanese, and Asian 1%; 13 tribes Religions: Muslim 30%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%, other or none 30% Languages: English (official); regular use limited to literate minority; principal vernaculars are Mende in south and Temne in north; Krio is the language of the resettled ex-slave population of the Freetown area and is lingua franca Literacy: 21% (male 31%, female 11%) age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,369,000 (est.); agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981); only about 65,000 earn wages (1985); 55% of population of working age Organized labor: 35% of wage earners :Sierra Leone Government:Sierra Leone Government Long-form name: Republic of Sierra Leone Type: military government Capital: Freetown Administrative divisions: Western Area and 3 provinces; Eastern, Northern, Southern Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK) Constitution: 1 October 1991; amended September 1991 Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Republic Day, 27 April (1961) Executive branch: National Provisional Ruling Council Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Gen. Joseph Saidu MOMOH was ousted in coup of 29 April 1992; succeeded by Chairman of the National Provisional Ruling Council Valentine STRASSER (since 29 April 1992) Political parties and leaders: status of existing political parties are unknown following 29 April 1992 coup Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: suspended after 29 April 1992 coup; Chairman STRASSER promises multi-party elections sometime in the future Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant); Chancery at 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 939-9261 US: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG; Embassy at the corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown; telephone [232] (22) 226-481; FAX [232] (22) 225471 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue :Sierra Leone Economy:Sierra Leone Economy Overview: The economic and social infrastructure is not well developed. Subsistence agriculture dominates the economy, generating about one-third of GDP and employing about two-thirds of the working population. Manufacturing, which accounts for roughly 10% of GDP, consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Diamond mining provides an important source of hard currency. The economy suffers from high unemployment, rising inflation, large trade deficits, and a growing dependency on foreign assistance. The government in 1990 was attempting to get the budget deficit under control and, in general, to bring economic policy in line with the recommendations of the IMF and the World Bank. Since March 1991, however, military incursions by Liberian rebels in southern and eastern Sierra Leone have severely strained the economy and have undermined efforts to institute economic reforms. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion, per capita $330; real growth rate 3% (FY91 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 110% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $134 million; expenditures $187 million, including capital expenditures of $32 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $138 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: rutile 50%, bauxite 17%, cocoa 11%, diamonds 3%, coffee 3% partners: US, UK, Belgium, FRG, other Western Europe Imports: $146 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: capital goods 40%, food 32%, petroleum 12%, consumer goods 7%, light industrial goods partners: US, EC, Japan, China, Nigeria External debt: $572 million (1990) Industrial production: NA Electricity: 85,000 kW capacity; 185 million kWh produced, 45 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile), small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear), petroleum refinery Agriculture: accounts for over 30% of GDP and two-thirds of the labor force; largely subsistence farming; cash crops - coffee, cocoa, palm kernels; harvests of food staple rice meets 80% of domestic needs; annual fish catch averages 53,000 metric tons Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $161 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $848 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $18 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $101 million Currency: leone (plural - leones); 1 leone (Le) = 100 cents :Sierra Leone Economy:Sierra Leone Economy Exchange rates: leones (Le) per US$1 - 476.74 (March 1992), 295.34 (1991), 144.9275 (1990), 58.1395 (1989), 31.2500 (1988), 30.7692 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Sierra Leone Communications:Sierra Leone Communications Railroads: 84 km 1.067-meter narrow-gauge mineral line is used on a limited basis because the mine at Marampa is closed Highways: 7,400 km total; 1,150 km paved, 490 km laterite (some gravel), remainder improved earth Inland waterways: 800 km; 600 km navigable year round Ports: Freetown, Pepel, Bonthe Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship totaling 5,592 GRT/9,107 DWT Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 12 total, 7 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: marginal telephone and telegraph service; national microwave system unserviceable at present; 23,650 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Sierra Leone Defense Forces:Sierra Leone Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, National Police Force, Special Security Detachment Manpower availability: males 15-49, 976,147; 472,112 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $6 million, 0.7% of GDP (1988 est.) :Singapore Geography:Singapore Geography Total area: 632.6 km2 Land area: 622.6 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 193 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm Disputes: two islands in dispute with Malaysia Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry seasons; thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April) Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports Land use: arable land 4%; permanent crops 7%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 5%; other 84% Environment: mostly urban and industrialized Note: focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes :Singapore People:Singapore People Population: 2,792,092 (July 1992), growth rate 1.3% (1992) Birth rate: 18 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Singaporean(s); adjective - Singapore Ethnic divisions: Chinese 76.4%, Malay 14.9%, Indian 6.4%, other 2.3% Religions: majority of Chinese are Buddhists or atheists; Malays are nearly all Muslim (minorities include Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Taoists, Confucianists) Languages: Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and English (all official); Malay (national) Literacy: 88% (male 93%, female 84%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,485,800; financial, business, and other services 30.2%, manufacturing 28.4%, commerce 22.0%, construction 9.0%, other 10.4% (1990) Organized labor: 210,000; 16.1% of labor force (1989) :Singapore Government:Singapore Government Long-form name: Republic of Singapore Type: republic within Commonwealth Capital: Singapore Administrative divisions: none Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysia) Constitution: 3 June 1959, amended 1965; based on preindependence State of Singapore Constitution Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965) Executive branch: president, prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President WEE Kim Wee (since 3 September 1985) Head of Government: Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990); Deputy Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990); Deputy Prime Ministers ONG Teng Cheong (since 2 January 1985) and LEE Hsien Loong Political parties and leaders: government: People's Action Party (PAP), LEE Kuan Yew, secretary general; opposition: Workers' Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), CHIAM See Tong; National Solidarity Party (NSP), leader NA; Barisan Sosialis (BS, Socialist Front), leader NA Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 20 Elections: President: last held 31 August 1989 (next to be held NA August 1993); results - President WEE Kim Wee was reelected by Parliament without opposition Parliament: last held 31 August 1991 (next to be held 31 August 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (81 total) PAP 77, SDP 3, WP 1 Communists: 200-500; Barisan Sosialis infiltrated by Communists; note - Communist party illegal Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador S. R. NATHAN; Chancery at 1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 667-7555 US: Ambassador Robert D. ORR; Embassy at 30 Hill Street, Singapore 0617 (mailing address is FPO AP 96534); telephone [65] 338-0251; FAX [65] 338-4550 :Singapore Government:Singapore Government Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle :Singapore Economy:Singapore Economy Overview: Singapore has an open entrepreneurial economy with strong service and manufacturing sectors and excellent international trading links derived from its entrepot history. During the 1970s and early 1980s, the economy expanded rapidly, achieving an average annual growth rate of 9%. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia. The economy grew at a respectable 6.5% in 1991, down from 8.3% in 1990, in part because of a slowdown in overseas demand and lower growth in the financial and business services sector. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $38.3 billion, per capita $13,900; real growth rate 6.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.5% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $9.8 billion; expenditures $9.0 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.8 billion (FY91 est.) Exports: $57.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: includes transshipments to Malaysia - petroleum products, rubber, electronics, manufactured goods partners: US 20%, Malaysia 15%, Japan 9%, Hong Kong 7%, Thailand 6% Imports: $65.8 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: includes transshipments from Malaysia - capital equipment, petroleum, chemicals, manufactured goods, foodstuffs partners: Japan 21%, US 16%, Malaysia 15%, Taiwan 4% External debt: $3.8 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 9% (1991 est.); accounts for 29% of GDP (1990) Electricity: 4,000,000 kW capacity; 14,400 million kWh produced, 5,300 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: petroleum refining, electronics, oil drilling equipment, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, financial services, biotechnology Agriculture: occupies a position of minor importance in the economy; self-sufficient in poultry and eggs; must import much of other food; major crops - rubber, copra, fruit, vegetables Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $590 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.0 billion Currency: Singapore dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1 - 1.6596 (March 1992), 1.7276 (1991), 1.8125 (1990), 1.9503 (1989), 2.0124 (1988), 2.1060 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Singapore Communications:Singapore Communications Railroads: 38 km of 1.000-meter gauge Highways: 2,597 km total (1984) Ports: Singapore Merchant marine: 468 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,751,619 GRT/14,195,718 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 126 cargo, 74 container, 7 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 5 refrigerated cargo, 18 vehicle carrier, 1 livestock carrier, 144 petroleum tanker, 5 chemical tanker, 4 combination ore/oil, 1 specialized tanker, 5 liquefied gas, 74 bulk, 2 combination bulk, 1 short-sea passenger; note - many Singapore flag ships are foreign owned Civil air: 38 major transport aircraft (est.) Airports: 10 total, 10 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good domestic facilities; good international service; good radio and television broadcast coverage; 1,110,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 13 AM, 4 FM, 2 TV; submarine cables extend to Malaysia (Sabah and peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT :Singapore Defense Forces:Singapore Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 847,435; 626,914 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion, 4% of GDP (1990 est.) :Slovenia Geography:Slovenia Geography Total area: 20,296 km2 Land area: 20,296 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than New Jersey Land boundaries: 998 km total; Austria 262 km, Croatia 455 km, Italy 199 km, Hungary 83 km Coastline: 32 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: 200 m or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: dispute with Croatia over fishing rights in the Adriatic; small vocal minority in northern Italy seeks the return of parts of southwestern Slovenia Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous rivers to the east Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver Land use: arable land 10%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest and woodland 45%; other 23%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; heavy metals and toxic chemicals along coastal waters; near Koper, forest damage from air pollutants originating at metallurgical and chemical plants; subject to flooding and earthquakes :Slovenia People:Slovenia People Population: 1,963,000 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Slovene(s); adjective - Slovenia Ethnic divisions: Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3% Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, Orthodox Catholic 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3% Languages: Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 7%, other 2% Literacy: 99.2% (male 99.3%, female 99.1%) age 10 and over can read and write Labor force: 786,036; 2% agriculture, manufacturing and mining 46% Organized labor: NA :Slovenia Government:Slovenia Government Long-form name: Republic of Slovenia Type: emerging democracy Capital: Ljubljana Administrative divisions: 62 provinces (pokajine, singular - pokajina) Independence: 25 June 1991; 15 January 1992 from Yugoslavia Constitution: adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, 4 vice presidents Legislative branch: bicameral; consists of the State Assembly and the State Council; note - will take effect after next election Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990); Vice President Matjaz KMECL (since 11 April 1990); Vice President Ivan OMAN (since 11 April 1990); Vice President Dusan PLUT (since 11 April 1990); Vice President Ciril ZLOBEC (since 11 April 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 14 May 1992) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic, Lozje PETERLE, chairman; Liberal Democratic, Janez DRNOVSEK, chairman; Social Democratic, Joze PUNIK, chairman; Socialist, Viktor ZAKELJ, chairman; Greens, Dusan PLUT, chairman; National Democratic, Rajko PIRNAT, chairman; Democratic Peoples Party, Marjan PODOBNIK, chairman; Reformed Socialists (former Communist Party), Ciril RIBICIC, chairman Suffrage: at age 16 if employed, universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held NA (next to be held NA) State Assembly: last held NA (next to be held NA); State Council: last held NA (next to be held NA) Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: CSCE, IMF, UN Diplomatic representation: Representative Ernest PETRIC; Chancery at 1300 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 828-1650 US: Ambassador Ignac GOLOB, Embassy at NA (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone NA :Slovenia Government:Slovenia Government Flag: a three color flag, white (hoist side), blue, and red of equal width with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers; around it, there are three six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue band :Slovenia Economy:Slovenia Economy Overview: Slovenia was by far the most prosperous of the old Yugoslav republics, with a per capita income more than twice the Yugoslav average, indeed not far below the levels in neighboring Austria and Italy. Because of its strong ties to Western Europe and the small scale of damage during internecine fighting in Yugoslavia, Slovenia has the brightest prospects among the former Yugoslav republics for economic reform and recovery over the next few years. The political and economic disintegration of Yugoslavia, however, has led to severe short-term dislocations in production, employment, and trade ties. For example, overall industrial production fell 10% in 1991; particularly hard hit were the iron and steel, machine-building, chemical, and textile industries. Meanwhile, fighting has continued in other republics leading to further destruction of long-established trade channels and to an influx of tens of thousands of Croatian refugees. As in other former Communist areas in Eastern Europe, economic reform has often sputtered not only because of the vested interests of old bosses in retaining old rules of the game but also because of the tangible losses experienced by rank-and-file people in the transition to a more market-oriented system. The key program for breaking up and privatizing major industrial firms has not yet begun. Bright spots for encouraging Western investors are Slovenia's comparatively well-educated work force, its developed infrastructure, and its Western business attitudes. Slovenia in absolute terms is a small economy, and a little Western investment would go a long way. GDP: $21 billion, per capita $10,700; real growth rate -10% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15-20% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 10% (April 1992) Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $4,120 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 38%, other manufactured goods 44%, chemicals 9%, food and live animals 4.6%, raw materials 3%, beverages and tobacco less than 1% partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics, Austria, and Italy Imports: $4,679 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 35%, other manufactured goods 26.7%, chemicals 14.5%, raw materials 9.4%, fuels and lubricants 7%, food and live animals 6% partners: principally the other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, former USSR, US, Hungary, Italy, and Austria External debt: $2.5 billion Industrial production: industrial production has been declining at a rate of about 1% per month (1991-92), mostly because of lost markets in the other former Yugoslav republics Electricity: 2,900,000 kW capacity; 12,250 million kWh produced, 6,447 kWh per capita (1991) :Slovenia Economy:Slovenia Economy Industries: ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products, aluminum reduction and rolled products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools Agriculture: dominated by stock breeding (sheep and cattle) and dairy farming; main crops are potatoes, hops, hemp, and flax; although self-sufficient and having an export surplus in these commodities, Slovenia must import many other agricultural products and has a negative overall trade balance in this sector Illicit drugs: NA Economic aid: NA Currency: Slovene Tolar (plural - Tolars); 1 Tolar (SLT) = 100 NA Exchange rates: Tolars (SLT) per US$1 - 28 (January 1992) Fiscal year: calendar year :Slovenia Communications:Slovenia Communications Railroads: NA Highways: 14,553 km total; 10,525 km paved, 4,028 km gravel Inland waterways: NA Pipelines: crude oil 290 km, natural gas 305 km Ports: maritime - Koper Merchant marine: 0 ships (1,000 GRT or over) are under Slovenian flag; note - Slovenian owners control 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 334,995 GRT/558,621 DWT; includes 14 bulk carriers and 7 general cargo ships all under Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: 3 main airports Telecommunications: 130,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 5 FM, 7 TV; 370,000 radios; 330,000 TVs :Slovenia Defense Forces:Slovenia Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 444,030; NA fit for military service; 18,219 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - 13.5 billion Slovene Tolars, 4.5% of GDP (1992); note - conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results :Solomon Islands Geography:Solomon Islands Geography Total area: 28,450 km2 Land area: 27,540 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: none Coastline: 5,313 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 93%; other 4% Environment: subject to typhoons, which are rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors Note: located just east of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean :Solomon Islands People:Solomon Islands People Population: 360,010 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992) Birth rate: 40 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 30 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 72 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Solomon Islander(s); adjective - Solomon Islander Ethnic divisions: Melanesian 93.0%, Polynesian 4.0%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4% Religions: almost all at least nominally Christian; Anglican 34%, Roman Catholic 19%, Baptist 17%, United (Methodist/Presbyterian) 11%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, other Protestant 5% Languages: 120 indigenous languages; Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English spoken by 1-2% of population Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 23,448 economically active; agriculture, forestry, and fishing 32.4%; services 25%; construction, manufacturing, and mining 7.0%; commerce, transport, and finance 4.7% (1984) Organized labor: NA, but most of the cash-economy workers have trade union representation :Solomon Islands Government:Solomon Islands Government Long-form name: none Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Honiara Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 town*; Central, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Temotu, Western Independence: 7 July 1978 (from UK; formerly British Solomon Islands) Constitution: 7 July 1978 Legal system: common law National holiday: Independence Day, 7 July (1978) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir George LEPPING (since 27 June 1989, previously acted as governor general since 7 July 1988) Head of Government: Prime Minister Solomon MAMALONI (since 28 March 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Sir Baddeley DEVESI (since NA October 1990) Political parties and leaders: People's Alliance Party (PAP); United Party (UP), leader NA; Solomon Islands Liberal Party (SILP), Bartholemew ULUFA'ALU; Nationalist Front for Progress (NFP), Andrew NORI; Labor Party (LP), Joses TUHANUKU Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: National Parliament: last held 22 February 1989 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (38 total) PAP 13, UP 6, NFP 4, SILP 4, LP 2, independents 9 Member of: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant) resides in Honiara (Solomon Islands) US: the ambassador in Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands; Embassy at Mud Alley, Honiara (mailing address is American Embassy, P. O. Box 561, Honiara); telephone (677) 23890; FAX (677) 23488 Flag: divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green :Solomon Islands Economy:Solomon Islands Economy Overview: About 90% of the population depend on subsistence agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Agriculture, fishing, and forestry contribute about 70% to GDP, with the fishing and forestry sectors being important export earners. The service sector contributes about 25% to GDP. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. The economy suffered from a severe cyclone in mid-1986 that caused widespread damage to the infrastructure. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $200 million, per capita $600; real growth rate 6.0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.2% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $44 million; expenditures $45 million, including capital expenditures of $22 million (1989 est.) Exports: $67.3 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: fish 46%, timber 31%, copra 5%, palm oil 5% partners: Japan 51%, UK 12%, Thailand 9%, Netherlands 8%, Australia 2%, US 2% (1985) Imports: $86.0 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: plant and machinery 30%, fuel 19%, food 16% partners: Japan 36%, US 23%, Singapore 9%, UK 9%, NZ 9%, Australia 4%, Hong Kong 4%, China 3% (1985) External debt: $128 million (1988 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1987); accounts for 5% of GDP Electricity: 21,000 kW capacity; 39 million kWh produced, 115 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: copra, fish (tuna) Agriculture: including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 70% of GDP; mostly subsistence farming; cash crops - cocoa, beans, coconuts, palm kernels, timber; other products - rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, cattle, pigs; not self-sufficient in food grains; 90% of the total fish catch of 44,500 metric tons was exported (1988) Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $250 million Currency: Solomon Islands dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Solomon Islands dollars (SI$) per US$1 - 2.8740 (March 1992), 2.7148 (1991), 2.5288 (1990), 2.2932 (1989), 2.0825 (1988), 2.0033 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Solomon Islands Communications:Solomon Islands Communications Highways: about 2,100 km total (1982); 30 km paved, 290 km gravel, 980 km earth, 800 private logging and plantation roads of varied construction Ports: Honiara, Ringi Cove Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 33 total, 30 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Solomon Islands Defense Forces:Solomon Islands Defense Forces Branches: Police Force Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Somalia Geography:Somalia Geography Total area: 637,660 km2 Land area: 627,340 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: 2,340 km total; Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km Coastline: 3,025 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: southern half of boundary with Ethiopia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Ethiopia over the Ogaden; possible claims to Djibouti and parts of Ethiopia and Kenya based on unification of ethnic Somalis Climate: desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), cooler southwest monsoon (May to October); irregular rainfall; hot, humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north Natural resources: uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt Land use: arable land 2%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 46%; forest and woodland 14%; other 38%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal :Somalia People Population: 7,235,226 (July 1992), growth rate 2.1% (1992) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -12 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 115 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 56 years male, 57 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Somali(s); adjective - Somali Ethnic divisions: Somali 85%, rest mainly Bantu; Arabs 30,000, Europeans 3,000, Asians 800 Religions: almost entirely Sunni Muslim Languages: Somali (official); Arabic, Italian, English Literacy: 24% (male 36%, female 14%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,200,000; very few are skilled laborers; pastoral nomad 70%, agriculture, government, trading, fishing, handicrafts, and other 30%; 53% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: General Federation of Somali Trade Unions was controlled by the government prior to January 1991; the fall of SIAD regime may have led to collapse of Trade Union organization :Somalia Government:Somalia Government Long-form name: none Type: none Capital: Mogadishu Administrative divisions: 16 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed Independence: 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic) Constitution: 25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, two vice presidents, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Golaha Shacbiga) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Interim President ALI Mahdi Mohamed (since 27 January 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister OMAR Arteh Ghalib (since 27 January 1991) Political parties and leaders: the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the former regime on 27 January 1991; note - formerly the only party was the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRSP), headed by former President and Commander in Chief of the Army Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD Barre Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 23 December 1986 (next to be held NA); results - President SIAD was reelected without opposition People's Assembly: last held 31 December 1984 (next to be held NA); results - SRSP was the only party; seats - (177 total, 171 elected) SRSP 171; note - the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the regime of Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD Barre on 27 January 1991; the provisional government has promised that a democratically elected government will be established Member of: ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant); Chancery at Suite 710, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 342-1575; there is a Somali Consulate General in New York; note - Somalian Embassy ceased operations on 8 May 1991 :Somalia Government:Somalia Government US: Ambassador (vacant); Embassy at K-7, AFGOI Road, Mogadishu (mailing address is P. O. Box 574, Mogadishu); telephone [252] (01) 39971; note - US Embassy evacuated and closed indefinitely in January 1991 Flag: light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; design based on the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland was a UN trust territory) :Somalia Economy:Somalia Economy Overview: One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, Somalia has few resources. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, with the livestock sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and seminomads who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihoods make up more than half of the population. Crop production generates only 10% of GDP and employs about 20% of the work force. The main export crop is bananas; sugar, sorghum, and corn are grown for the domestic market. The small industrial sector is based on the processing of agricultural products and accounts for less than 10% of GDP. Greatly increased political turmoil in 1991-92 has resulted in a substantial drop in output, with widespread famine a grim fact of life. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion, per capita $210; real growth rate -1.4% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 210% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $190 million; expenditures $195 million, including capital expenditures of $111 million (1989 est.) Exports: $58.0 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: bananas, livestock, fish, hides, skins partners: US 0.5%, Saudi Arabia, Italy, FRG (1986) Imports: $249 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.) commodities: petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials partners: US 13%, Italy, FRG, Kenya, UK, Saudi Arabia (1986) External debt: $1.9 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate -5.0% (1988); accounts for 5% of GDP Electricity: 75,000 kW capacity; 60 million kWh produced, 10 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: a few small industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleum refining Agriculture: dominant sector, led by livestock raising (cattle, sheep, goats); crops - bananas, sorghum, corn, mangoes, sugarcane; not self-sufficient in food; fishing potential largely unexploited Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $639 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $1.1 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $336 million Currency: Somali shilling (plural - shillings); 1 Somali shilling (So. Sh.) = 100 centesimi Exchange rates: Somali shillings (So. Sh.) per US$1 - 3,800.00 (December 1990), 490.7 (1989), 170.45 (1988), 105.18 (1987), 72.00 (1986) :Somalia Economy:Somalia Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Somalia Communications:Somalia Communications Highways: 15,215 km total; including 2,335 km paved, 2,880 km gravel, and 10,000 km improved earth or stabilized soil (1983) Pipelines: crude oil 15 km Ports: Mogadishu, Berbera, Chisimayu, Bosaso Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,913 GRT/8,718 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 53 total, 40 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: minimal telephone and telegraph service; microwave and troposcatter system centered on Mogadishu connects a few towns; 6,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station; scheduled to receive an ARABSAT ground station :Somalia Defense Forces:Somalia Defense Forces Branches: NA Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,673,542; 942,153 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :South Africa Geography:South Africa Geography Total area: 1,221,040 km2 Land area: 1,221,040 km2; includes Walvis Bay, Marion Island, and Prince Edward Island Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: 4,973 km total; Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 1,078 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km Coastline: 2,881 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claim by Namibia to Walvis Bay exclave and 12 offshore islands administered by South Africa; South Africa and Namibia have agreed to jointly administer the area for an interim period; the terms and dates to be covered by joint administration arrangements have not been established at this time; and Namibia will continue to maintain a claim to sovereignty over the entire area Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along coast; sunny days, cool nights Terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain Natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas Land use: arable land 10%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 65%; forest and woodland 3%; other 21%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures Note: Walvis Bay is an exclave of South Africa in Namibia; South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland :South Africa People:South Africa People Population: 41,688,360 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992); includes the 10 so-called homelands, which are not recognized by the US Population: four independent homelands: Bophuthatswana 2,489,347, growth rate 2.86%; Ciskei 1,088,476, growth rate 2.99%; Transkei 4,746,796, growth rate 4.13%; Venda 718,207, growth rate 3.81% six other homelands: Gazankulu 803,806, growth rate 3.96%; Kangwane 597,783, growth rate 3.60%; KwaNdebele 373,012, growth rate 3.40%; KwaZulu 5,748,950, growth rate 3.58%; Lebowa 2,924,584, growth rate 3.90%; QwaQwa 288,155, growth rate 3.60% Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 50 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 67 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - South African(s); adjective - South African Ethnic divisions: black 75.2%, white 13.6%, Colored 8.6%, Indian 2.6% Religions: most whites and Coloreds and about 60% of blacks are Christian; about 60% of Indians are Hindu; Muslim 20% Languages: Afrikaans, English (both official); many vernacular languages, including Zulu, Xhosa, North and South Sotho, Tswana Literacy: 76% (male 78%, female 75%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 11,000,000 economically active (1989); services 34%, agriculture 30%, industry and commerce 29%, mining 7% (1985) Organized labor: about 17% of total labor force belongs to a registered trade union (1989); African unions represent 15% of black labor force :South Africa Government:South Africa Government Long-form name: Republic of South Africa; abbreviated RSA Type: republic Capital: Pretoria (administrative); Cape Town (legislative); Bloemfontein (judicial) Administrative divisions: 4 provinces; Cape, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal; there are 10 homelands not recognized by the US - 4 independent (Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei, Venda) and 6 other (Gazankulu, Kangwane, KwaNdebele, KwaZulu, Lebowa, QwaQwa) Independence: 31 May 1910 (from UK) Constitution: 3 September 1984 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Republic Day, 31 May (1910) Executive branch: state president, Executive Council (cabinet), Ministers' Councils (from the three houses of Parliament) Legislative branch: tricameral Parliament (Parlement) consists of the House of Assembly (Volksraad; whites), House of Representatives (Raad van Verteenwoordigers; Coloreds), and House of Delegates (Raad van Afgevaardigdes; Indians) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: State President Frederik W. DE KLERK (since 13 September 1989) Political parties and leaders: white political parties and leaders: National Party (NP), Frederik W. DE KLERK (majority party); Conservative Party (CP), Dr. Andries P. TREURNICHT (official opposition party); Democratic Party (DP), Zach DE BEER Colored political parties and leaders: Labor Party (LP), Allan HENDRICKSE (majority party); Freedom Party; note - the Democratic Reform Party (DRP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) were disbanded in May 1991 Indian political parties and leaders: Solidarity, J. N. REDDY (majority party); National People's Party (NPP), Amichand RAJBANSI; Merit People's Party Suffrage: universal at age 18, but voting rights are racially based Elections: House of Assembly (whites): last held 6 September 1989 (next to be held by NA March 1995); results - NP 58%, CP 23%, DP 19%; seats - (178 total, 166 elected) NP 103, CP 41, DP 34; note - by February 1992 because of byelections, changes in number of seats held by parties were as follows: NP 102, CP 42, DP 33, vacant 1 House of Representatives (Coloreds): last held 6 September 1989 (next to be held no later than March 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (85 total, 80 elected) LP 69, DRP 5, UDP 3, Freedom Party 1, independents 2; note - since the National Party became multiracial, by February 1992 many representatives from other parties have changed their allegiance causing the following changes in seating: LP 39, NP 38, Freedom Party 1, independents 7 :South Africa Government:South Africa Government House of Delegates (Indians): last held 6 September 1989 (next to be held no later than March 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (45 total, 40 elected) Solidarity 16, NPP 9, Merit People's Party 3, independents 6, other 6; note - due to delegates changing party affiliation, seating as of February 1992 is as follows: Solidarity 25, NPP 7, Merit People's Party 2, other 5, independents 5, vacancy 1 Communists: South African Communist Party, Chris HANI, secretary general, and Joe SLOVO, national chairman Other political or pressure groups: African National Congress (ANC), Nelson MANDELA, president; Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI, president; Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC), Clarence MAKWETU, president Member of: BIS, CCC, ECA, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO (suspended), ICC, IDA, IFC, IMF, INTELSAT, ISO, ITU (suspended), LORCS, SACU, UN, UNCTAD, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO (suspended) Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Harry SCHWARZ; Chancery at 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-4400; there are South African Consulates General in Beverly Hills (California), Chicago, Houston, and New York US: Ambassador William L. SWING; Embassy at Thibault House, 225 Pretorius Street, Pretoria; telephone [27] (12) 28-4266, FAX [27] (12) 21-92-78; there are US Consulates General in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg Flag: actually four flags in one - three miniature flags reproduced in the center of the white band of the former flag of the Netherlands, which has three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and blue; the miniature flags are a vertically hanging flag of the old Orange Free State with a horizontal flag of the UK adjoining on the hoist side and a horizontal flag of the old Transvaal Republic adjoining on the other side :South Africa Economy:South Africa Economy Overview: Many of the white one-seventh of the South African population enjoy incomes, material comforts, and health and educational standards equal to those of Western Europe. In contrast, most of the remaining population suffers from the poverty patterns of the Third World, including unemployment, lack of job skills, and barriers to movement into higher-paying fields. Inputs and outputs thus do not move smoothly into the most productive employments, and the effectiveness of the market is further lowered by international constraints on dealings with South Africa. The main strength of the economy lies in its rich mineral resources, which provide two-thirds of exports. Average growth of less than 2% in output in recent years falls far short of the 5% to 6% level needed to absorb some 300,000 new entrants to the labor force annually. Economic developments in the 1990s will be driven partly by the changing relations among the various ethnic groups. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $104 billion, per capita $2,600; real growth rate - 0.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.7% (March 1992) Unemployment rate: 40% (1991); well over 50% in some homeland areas (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $29.4 billion; expenditures $35.0 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.1 billion (FY93 est.) Exports: $24.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: gold 25-30%, minerals and metals 20-25%, food 5%, chemicals 3% partners: Italy, Japan, US, FRG, UK, other EC members, Hong Kong Imports: $18.8 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery 32%, transport equipment 15%, chemicals 11%, oil, textiles, scientific instruments, base metals partners: FRG, Japan, UK, US, Italy External debt: $19.0 billion (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for about 40% of GDP Electricity: 46,000,000 kW capacity; 180,000 million kWh produced, 4,100 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel, chemical, fertilizer, foodstuffs Agriculture: accounts for about 5% of GDP and 30% of labor force; diversified agriculture, with emphasis on livestock; products - cattle, poultry, sheep, wool, milk, beef, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; self-sufficient in food Economic aid: NA Currency: rand (plural - rand); 1 rand (R) = 100 cents :South Africa Economy:South Africa Economy Exchange rates: rand (R) per US$1 - 2.7814 (January 1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :South Africa Communications:South Africa Communications Railroads: 20,638 km route distance total; 35,079 km of 1.067-meter gauge trackage (counts double and multiple tracking as single track); 314 km of 610 mm gauge Highways: 188,309 km total; 54,013 km paved, 134,296 km crushed stone, gravel, or improved earth Pipelines: crude oil 931 km, petroleum products 1,748 km, natural gas 322 km Ports: Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Richard's Bay, Saldanha, Mosselbaai, Walvis Bay Merchant marine: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 213,708 GRT/201,043 DWT; includes 4 container, 1 vehicle carrier Civil air: 90 major transport aircraft Airports: 901 total, 732 usable; 132 with permanent-surface runways; 5 with runways over 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 224 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: the system is the best developed, most modern, and has the highest capacity in Africa; it consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay links, fiber optic cable, and radiocommunication stations; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria; over 4,500,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 14 AM, 286 FM, 67 TV; 1 submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT :South Africa Defense Forces:South Africa Defense Forces Branches: South African Defense Force (SADF; including Army, Navy, Air Force, Medical Services), South African Police (SAP) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 10,051,202; 6,133,484 fit for military service; 420,275 reach military age (18) annually; obligation for service in Citizen Force or Commandos begins at 18; volunteers for service in permanent force must be 17; national service obligation is one year; figures include the so-called homelands not recognized by the US Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion, about 3% of GDP (FY92) :South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Geography:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Geography Total area: 4,066 km2 Land area: 4,066 km2; includes Shag and Clerke Rocks, South Georgia, Bird Island, South Sandwich Islands Comparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: none Coastline: undetermined Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina Climate: variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year, interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow Terrain: most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%; largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen Environment: reindeer, introduced early in this century, live on South Georgia; weather conditions generally make it difficult to approach the South Sandwich Islands; the South Sandwich Islands are subject to active volcanism Note: the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage :South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands People:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands People Population: no permanent population; there is a small military garrison on South Georgia, and the British Antarctic Survey has a biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited :South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Government:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Government Long-form name: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (no short-form name) Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: none; Grytviken on South Georgia is the garrison town Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 3 October 1985 Legal system: English common law National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Executive branch: British monarch, commissioner Legislative branch: none Judicial branch: none Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Commissioner William Hugh FULLERTON (since 1988; resident at Stanley, Falkland Islands) :South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Economy:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Economy Overview: Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential source of income from harvesting fin fish and krill. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK. Budget: revenues $291,777; expenditures $451,011, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY88 est.) Electricity: 900 kW capacity; 2 million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita (1990) :South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Communications:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Communications Highways: NA Ports: Grytviken on South Georgia Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runway 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: coastal radio station at Grytviken; no broadcast stations :South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Defense Forces:South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Spain Geography:Spain Geography Total area: 504,750 km2 Land area: 499,400 km2; includes Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - Ceuta, Mellila, Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Oregon Land boundaries: 1,903.2 km total; Andorra 65 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km, Portugal 1,214 km Coastline: 4,964 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Gibraltar question with UK; Spain controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco - the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which Morocco contests, as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas Climate: temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast Terrain: large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees in north Natural resources: coal, lignite, iron ore, uranium, mercury, pyrites, fluorspar, gypsum, zinc, lead, tungsten, copper, kaolin, potash, hydropower Land use: arable land 31%; permanent crops 10%; meadows and pastures 21%; forest and woodland 31%; other 7%; includes irrigated 6% Environment: deforestation; air pollution Note: strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar :Spain People:Spain People Population: 39,118,399 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 11 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Spaniard(s); adjective - Spanish Ethnic divisions: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other sects 1% Languages: Castilian Spanish; second languages include Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% Literacy: 95% (male 97%, female 93%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 14,621,000; services 53%, industry 24%, agriculture 14%, construction 9% (1988) Organized labor: less 10% of labor force (1988) :Spain Government:Spain Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Spain Type: parliamentary monarchy Capital: Madrid Administrative divisions: 17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Canarias, Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, Communidad Valencia, Extremadura, Galicia, Islas Baleares, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra, Pais Vasco; note - there are five places of sovereignty on and off the coast of Morocco (Ceuta, Mellila, Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera) with administrative status unknown Independence: 1492 (expulsion of the Moors and unification) Constitution: 6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978 Legal system: civil law system, with regional applications; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 12 October Executive branch: monarch, president of the government (prime minister), deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet), Council of State Legislative branch: bicameral The General Courts or National Assembly (Las Cortes Generales) consists of an upper house or Senate (Senado) and a lower house or Congress of Deputies (Congreso de los Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo) Leaders: Chief of State: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975) Head of Government: Prime Minister Felipe GONZALEZ Marquez (since 2 December 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Narcis SERRA (since 13 March 1991) Political parties and leaders: principal national parties, from right to left - Popular Party (PP), Jose Maria AZNAR; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Luis DE GRANDES; Social Democratic Center (CDS), Rafael Calvo ORTEGA; Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), Felipe GONZALEZ Marquez; Socialist Democracy Party (DS), Ricardo Garcia DAMBORENEA; Spanish Communist Party (PCE), Julio ANGUITA; chief regional parties - Convergence and Unity (CiU), Jordi PUJOL Saley, in Catalonia; Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), Xabier ARZALLUS; Basque Solidarity (EA), Carlos GARAICOETXEA Urizza; Basque Popular Unity (HB), Jon IDIGORAS; Basque Left (EE), Kepa AULESTIA; Andalusian Party (PA), Pedro PACHECO; Independent Canary Group (AIC); Aragon Regional Party (PAR); Valencian Union (UV) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Senate: last held 29 October 1989 (next to be held NA October 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (208 total) PSOE 106, PP 79, CiU 10, PNV 4, HB 3, AIC 1, other 5 :Spain Government:Spain Government Congress of Deputies: last held 29 October 1989 (next to be held NA October 1993); results - PSOE 39.6%, PP 25.8%, CDS 9%, Communist-led coalition (IU) 9%, CiU 5%, PNV 1.2%, HB 1%, PA 1%, other 8.4%; seats - (350 total) PSOE 175, PP 106, CiU 18, IU 17, CDS 14, PNV 5, HB 4, other 11 Communists: PCE membership declined from a possible high of 160,000 in 1977 to roughly 60,000 in 1987; the party gained almost 1 million voters and 10 deputies in the 1989 election; voters came mostly from the disgruntled socialist left; remaining strength is in labor, where it dominates the Workers Commissions trade union (one of the country's two major labor centrals), which claims a membership of about 1 million; experienced a modest recovery in 1986 national election, nearly doubling the share of the vote it received in 1982 Other political or pressure groups: on the extreme left, the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) and the First of October Antifascist Resistance Group (GRAPO) use terrorism to oppose the government; free labor unions (authorized in April 1977) include the Communist-dominated Workers Commissions (CCOO); the Socialist General Union of Workers (UGT), and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union (USO); the Catholic Church; business and landowning interests; Opus Dei; university students Member of: AG (observer), AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-8, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jaime de OJEDA; Chancery at 2700 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 265-0190 or 0191; there are Spanish Consulates General in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US: Ambassador Joseph ZAPPALA; Embassy at Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid (mailing address is APO AE 09642); telephone [34] (1) 577-4000, FAX [34] (1) 577-5735; there is a US Consulate General in Barcelona and a Consulate in Bilbao Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band; the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar :Spain Economy:Spain Economy Overview: Spain has done well since joining the EC in 1986. In accordance with its accession treaty, Spain has almost wholly liberalized trade and capital markets. Foreign and domestic investment has spurred average growth of 4% per year. Beginning in 1989, Madrid implemented a tight monetary policy to fight inflation - around 7% in 1989 and 1990. As a result growth slowed to 2.5% in 1991. Spanish policymakers remain concerned with inflation - still hovering at 6%. Government officials also are worried about 16% unemployment, although many people listed as unemployed work in the underground economy. Spanish economists believe that structural adjustments due to the ongoing integration of the European market are likely to lead to more displaced workers. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $487.5 billion, per capita $12,400; real growth rate 2.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.9% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 16.0% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $111.0 billion; expenditures $115.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $20.8 billion (1991 est.) Exports: $60.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: cars and trucks, semifinished manufactured goods, foodstuffs, machinery partners: EC 71.0%, US 4.9%, other developed countries 7.9% Imports: $93.1 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery, transport equipment, fuels, semifinished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals partners: EC 60.0%, US 8.0%, other developed countries 11.5%, Middle East 2.6% External debt: $45 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.0% (1991 est.) Electricity: 46,589,000 kW capacity; 157,040 million kWh produced, 3,980 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism Agriculture: accounts for about 5% of GDP and 14% of labor force; major products - grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus fruit, beef, pork, poultry, dairy; largely self-sufficient in food; fish catch of 1.4 million metric tons is among top 20 nations Illicit drugs: key European gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $1.9 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-79), $545.0 million; not currently a recipient :Spain Economy:Spain Economy Currency: peseta (plural - pesetas); 1 peseta (Pta) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: pesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 104.79 (March 1992), 103.91 (1991), 101.93 (1990), 118.38 (1989), 116.49 (1988), 123.48 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Spain Communications:Spain Communications Railroads: 15,430 km total; Spanish National Railways (RENFE) operates 12,691 km 1.668-meter gauge, 6,184 km electrified, and 2,295 km double track; FEVE (government-owned narrow-gauge railways) operates 1,821 km of predominantly 1.000-meter gauge and 441 km electrified; privately owned railways operate 918 km of predominantly 1.000-meter gauge, 512 km electrified, and 56 km double track Highways: 150,839 km total; 82,513 km national (includes 2,433 km limited-access divided highway, 63,042 km bituminous treated, 17,038 km intermediate bituminous, concrete, or stone block) and 68,326 km provincial or local roads (bituminous treated, intermediate bituminous, or stone block) Inland waterways: 1,045 km, but of minor economic importance Pipelines: crude oil 265 km, petroleum products 1,794 km, natural gas 1,666 km Ports: Algeciras, Alicante, Almeria, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz, Cartagena, Castellon de la Plana, Ceuta, El Ferrol del Caudillo, Puerto de Gijon, Huelva, La Coruna, Las Palmas (Canary Islands), Mahon, Malaga, Melilla, Rota, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Sagunto, Tarragona, Valencia, Vigo, and 175 minor ports Merchant marine: 278 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,915,409 GRT/5,228,378 DWT; includes 2 passenger, 9 short-sea passenger, 86 cargo, 13 refrigerated cargo, 15 container, 32 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 4 vehicle carrier, 48 petroleum tanker, 14 chemical tanker, 7 liquefied gas, 3 specialized tanker, 45 bulk Civil air: 210 major transport aircraft Airports: 105 total, 99 usable; 60 with permanent-surface runways; 4 with runways over 3,659 m; 22 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 25 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: generally adequate, modern facilities; 15,350,464 telephones; broadcast stations - 190 AM, 406 (134 repeaters) FM, 100 (1,297 repeaters) TV; 22 coaxial submarine cables; 2 communications satellite earth stations operating in INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean); MARECS, INMARSAT, and EUTELSAT systems; tropospheric links :Spain Defense Forces:Spain Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Civil Guard, National Police, Coastal Civil Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 10,205,741; 8,271,151 fit for military service; 337,407 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $8.7 billion, 2% of GDP (1991) :Spratly Islands Geography:Spratly Islands Geography Total area: NA but less than 5 km2 Land area: less than 5 km2; includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over the South China Sea Comparative area: undetermined Land boundaries: none Coastline: 926 km Maritime claims: undetermined Disputes: all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive economic zone, which encompasses Louisa Reef, but has not publicly claimed the island Climate: tropical Terrain: flat Natural resources: fish, guano; undetermined oil and natural gas potential Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: subject to typhoons; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs Note: strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; serious navigational hazard :Spratly Islands People:Spratly Islands People Population: no permanent inhabitants; garrisons :Spratly Islands Government:Spratly Islands Government Long-form name: none :Spratly Islands Economy:Spratly Islands Economy Overview: Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing, proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the Spratlys region is largely unexplored, and there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed. Industries: none :Spratly Islands Communications:Spratly Islands Communications Ports: no natural harbors Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m :Spratly Islands Defense Forces:Spratly Islands Defense Forces Note: 44 small islands or reefs are occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam :Sri Lanka Geography:Sri Lanka Geography Total area: 65,610 km2 Land area: 64,740 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,340 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; monsoonal; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior Natural resources: limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay Land use: arable land 16%; permanent crops 17%; meadows and pastures 7%; forest and woodland 37%; other 23%; includes irrigated 8% Environment: occasional cyclones, tornados; deforestation; soil erosion Note: only 29 km from India across the Palk Strait; near major Indian Ocean sea lanes :Sri Lanka People:Sri Lanka People Population: 17,631,528 (July 1992), growth rate 1.2% (1992); note - about 120,000 people fled to India in 1991 because of fighting between government forces and Tamil insurgents; about 200,000 Tamils will be repatriated in 1992 Birth rate: 20 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 21 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sri Lankan(s); adjective - Sri Lankan Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese 74%; Tamil 18%; Moor 7%; Burgher, Malay, and Veddha 1% Religions: Buddhist 69%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Muslim 8% Languages: Sinhala (official); Sinhala and Tamil listed as national languages; Sinhala spoken by about 74% of population, Tamil spoken by about 18%; English commonly used in government and spoken by about 10% of the population Literacy: 86% (male 91%, female 81%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981) Labor force: 6,600,000; agriculture 45.9%, mining and manufacturing 13.3%, trade and transport 12.4%, services and other 28.4% (1985 est.) Organized labor: about 30% of labor force, over 50% of which are employed on tea, rubber, and coconut estates :Sri Lanka Government:Sri Lanka Government Long-form name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Type: republic Capital: Colombo Administrative divisions: the administrative structure now includes 9 provinces - Central, Eastern, North, North Central, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, and Western and 24 districts - Amparai, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambantota, Jaffna, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalla, Kurunegala, Mannar, Matale, Matara, Moneragala, Mullaittivu, Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Trincomalee, Vavuniya; note - in the future there may be only 8 provinces (combining the two provinces of North and Eastern into one province of North Eastern) and 25 districts (adding Kilinochchi to the existing districts) Independence: 4 February 1948 (from UK; formerly Ceylon) Constitution: 31 August 1978 Legal system: a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence and National Day, 4 February (1948) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Ranasinghe PREMADASA (since 2 January 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dingiri Banda WIJETUNGE (since 6 March 1989) Political parties and leaders: United National Party (UNP), Ranasinghe PREMADASA; Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), M. H. M. ASHRAFF; All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), Kumar PONNAMBALAM; People's United Front (MEP, or Mahajana Eksath Peramuna), Dinesh GUNAWARDENE; Eelam Democratic Front (EDF), Edward Sebastian PILLAI; Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), leader (vacant); Eelam Revolutionary Organization of Students (EROS), Velupillai BALAKUMARAN; New Socialist Party (NSSP, or Nava Sama Samaja Party), Vasudeva NANAYAKKARA; Lanka Socialist Party/Trotskyite (LSSP, or Lanka Sama Samaja Party), Colin R. de SILVA; Sri Lanka People's Party (SLMP, or Sri Lanka Mahajana Party), Ossie ABEYGUNASEKERA; Communist Party, K. P. SILVA; Communist Party/Beijing (CP/B), N. SHANMUGATHASAN; note - the United Socialist Alliance (USA) includes the NSSP, LSSP, SLMP, CP/M, and CP/B Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 19 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1994); results - Ranasinghe PREMADASA (UNP) 50%, Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE (SLFP) 45%, other 5% :Sri Lanka Government:Sri Lanka Government Parliament: last held 15 February 1989 (next to be held by NA February 1995); results - UNP 51%, SLFP 32%, SLMC 4%, TULF 3%, USA 3%, EROS 3%, MEP 1%, other 3%; seats - (225 total) UNP 125, SLFP 67, other 33 Other political or pressure groups: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and other smaller Tamil separatist groups; Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP or People's Liberation Front); Buddhist clergy; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups; labor unions Member of: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador W. Susanta De ALWIS; Chancery at 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-4025 through 4028; there is a Sri Lankan Consulate in New York US: Ambassador Marion V. CREEKMORE, Jr.; Embassy at 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 (mailing address is P. O. Box 106, Colombo); telephone [94] (1) 44180107, FAX [94] (1) 43-73-45 Flag: yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border that goes around the entire flag and extends between the two panels :Sri Lanka Economy:Sri Lanka Economy Overview: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing dominate the economy, employing half of the labor force and accounting for one quarter of GDP. The plantation crops of tea, rubber, and coconuts provide about one-third of export earnings. The economy has been plagued by high rates of unemployment since the late 1970s. Economic growth, which has been depressed by ethnic unrest, accelerated in 1991 as domestic conditions began to improve. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $7.2 billion, per capita $410; real growth rate 5.0% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1991) Unemployment rate: 14% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $2.0 billion; expenditures $3.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $500 million (1992) Exports: $2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: textiles and garment, teas, petroleum products, coconut, rubber, agricultural products, gems and jewelry, marine products partners: US 25%, FRG, Japan, UK, Belgium, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China Imports: $3.0 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: food and beverages, textiles and textile materials, petroleum, machinery and equipment partners: Japan, Iran, US 7.7%, India, Taiwan, Singapore, FRG, UK External debt: $5.8 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 8% (1991 est.); accounts for 20% of GDP Electricity: 1,300,000 kW capacity; 4,200 million kWh produced, 240 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco, clothing Agriculture: accounts for 26% of GDP and nearly half of labor force; most important staple crop is paddy rice; other field crops - sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseeds, roots, spices; cash crops - tea, rubber, coconuts; animal products - milk, eggs, hides, meat; not self-sufficient in rice production Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.0 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $5.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $169 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $369 million Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (plural - rupees); 1 Sri Lankan rupee (SLRe) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Sri Lankan rupees (SLRes) per US$1 - 43.112 (March 1992), 41.372 (1991), 40.063 (1990), 36.047 (1989), 31.807 (1988), 29.445 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Sri Lanka Communications:Sri Lanka Communications Railroads: 1,948 km total (1990); all 1.868-meter broad gauge; 102 km double track; no electrification; government owned Highways: 75,749 km total (1990); 27,637 km paved (mostly bituminous treated), 32,887 km crushed stone or gravel, 14,739 km improved earth or unimproved earth; several thousand km of mostly unmotorable tracks (1988 est.) Inland waterways: 430 km; navigable by shallow-draft craft Pipelines: crude oil and petroleum products 62 km (1987) Ports: Colombo, Trincomalee Merchant marine: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 310,173 GRT/489,378 DWT; includes 13 cargo, 6 refrigerated cargo, 5 container, 3 petroleum tanker, 3 bulk Civil air: 8 major transport (including 1 leased) Airports: 14 total, 13 usable; 12 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 7 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good international service; 114,000 telephones (1982); broadcast stations - 12 AM, 5 FM, 5 TV; submarine cables extend to Indonesia and Djibouti; 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Sri Lanka Defense Forces:Sri Lanka Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 4,709,203; 3,678,952 fit for military service; 177,554 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $432 million, 6% of GDP (1991) \ :Sudan Geography:Sudan Geography Total area: 2,505,810 km2 Land area: 2,376,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US Land boundaries: 7,697 km total; Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Ethiopia 2,221 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km, Zaire 628 km Coastline: 853 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 18 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: administrative boundary with Kenya does not coincide with international boundary; administrative boundary with Egypt does not coincide with international boundary Climate: tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season (April to October) Terrain: generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in east and west Natural resources: small reserves of crude oil, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, crude oil Land use: arable land 5%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 24%; forest and woodland 20%; other 51%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: dominated by the Nile and its tributaries; dust storms; desertification Note: largest country in Africa :Sudan People:Sudan People Population: 28,305,046 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 83 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 53 years male, 54 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sudanese (singular and plural); adjective - Sudanese Ethnic divisions: black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim (in north) 70%, indigenous beliefs 20%, Christian (mostly in south and Khartoum) 5% Languages: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, and Sudanic languages, English; program of Arabization in process Literacy: 27% (male 43%, female 12%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 6,500,000; agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 10%, government 6%; labor shortages for almost all categories of skilled employment (1983 est.); 52% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: trade unions suspended following 30 June 1989 coup; now in process of being legalized anew :Sudan Government:Sudan Government Long-form name: Republic of the Sudan Type: military; civilian government suspended and martial law imposed after 30 June 1989 coup Capital: Khartoum Administrative divisions: 9 states (wilayat, singular - wilayat or wilayah*); A'ali an Nil, Al Wusta*, Al Istiwa'iyah*, Al Khartum, Ash Shamaliyah*, Ash Sharqiyah*, Bahr al Ghazal, Darfur, Kurdufan Independence: 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK; formerly Anglo-Egyptian Sudan) Constitution: 12 April 1973, suspended following coup of 6 April 1985; interim constitution of 10 October 1985 suspended following coup of 30 June 1989 Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January 1991, the Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in the six northern states of Al Wusta, Al Khartum, Ash Shamaliyah, Ash Sharqiyah, Darfur, and Kurdufan; the council is still studying criminal provisions under Islamic law; Islamic law will apply to all residents of the six northern states regardless of their religion; some separate religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1956) Executive branch: executive and legislative authority vested in a 12-member Revolutionary Command Council (RCC); chairman of the RCC acts as prime minister; in July 1989, RCC appointed a predominately civilian 22-member cabinet to function as advisers Legislative branch: appointed 300-member Transitional National Assembly; note - as announced 1 January 1992 by RCC Chairman BASHIR, the Assembly assumes all legislative authority for Sudan until the eventual, unspecified resumption of national elections Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Special Revolutionary Courts Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Revolutionary Command Council Chairman and Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 30 June 1989); Deputy Chairman of the Command Council and Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. al-Zubayr Muhammad SALIH Ahmed (since 9 July 1989) Political parties and leaders: none; banned following 30 June 1989 coup Suffrage: none Elections: none Member of: ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador `Abdallah Ahmad `ABDALLAH; Chancery at 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 338-8565 through 8570; there is a Sudanese Consulate General in New York :Sudan Government:Sudan Government US: Ambassador James R. CHEEK (will be replaced summer of 1992); Embassy at Shar'ia Ali Abdul Latif, Khartoum (mailing address is P. O. Box 699, Khartoum, or APO AE 09829); telephone 74700 or 74611; Telex 22619 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side :Sudan Economy:Sudan Economy Overview: Sudan is buffeted by civil war, chronic political instability, adverse weather, high inflation, and counterproductive economic policies. The economy is dominated by governmental entities that account for more than 70% of new investment. The private sector's main areas of activity are agriculture and trading, with most private industrial investment predating 1980. The economy's base is agriculture, which employs 80% of the work force. Industry mainly processes agricultural items. Sluggish economic performance over the past decade, attributable largely to declining annual rainfall, has reduced levels of per capita income and consumption. A high foreign debt and huge arrearages continue to cause difficulties. In 1990 the International Monetary Fund took the unusual step of declaring Sudan noncooperative because of its nonpayment of arrearages to the Fund. Despite subsequent government efforts to implement reforms urged by the IMF and the World Bank, the economy remained stagnant in FY91 as entrepreneurs lack the incentive to take economic risks. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $12.1 billion, per capita $450; real growth rate 0% (FY91 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 95% (FY91 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (FY91 est.) Budget: revenues $1.3 billion; expenditures $2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $505 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $325 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.) commodities: cotton 52%, sesame, gum arabic, peanuts partners: Western Europe 46%, Saudi Arabia 14%, Eastern Europe 9%, Japan 9%, US 3% (FY88) Imports: $1.40 billion (c.i.f., FY91 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles partners: Western Europe 32%, Africa and Asia 15%, US 13%, Eastern Europe 3% (FY88) External debt: $14.6 billion (June 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for 11% of GDP (FY89) Electricity: 610,000 kW capacity; 905 million kWh produced, 40 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining Agriculture: accounts for 35% of GDP and 80% of labor force; water shortages; two-thirds of land area suitable for raising crops and livestock; major products - cotton, oilseeds, sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sheep; marginally self-sufficient in most foods Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.5 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $5.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $3.1 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $588 million :Sudan Economy:Sudan Economy Currency: Sudanese pound (plural - pounds); 1 Sudanese pound (#Sd) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: official rate - Sudanese pounds (#Sd) per US$1 - 90.1 (March 1992), 5.4288 (1991), 4.5004 (fixed rate since 1987), 2.8121 (1987); note - free market rate 83 (December 1991) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Sudan Communications:Sudan Communications Railroads: 5,500 km total; 4,784 km 1.067-meter gauge, 716 km 1.6096-meter-gauge plantation line Highways: 20,000 km total; 1,600 km bituminous treated, 3,700 km gravel, 2,301 km improved earth, 12,399 km unimproved earth and track Inland waterways: 5,310 km navigable Pipelines: refined products 815 km Ports: Port Sudan, Swakin Merchant marine: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 42,277 GRT/59,588 DWT; includes 3 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo Civil air: 18 major transport aircraft Airports: 72 total, 57 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 31 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: large, well-equipped system by African standards, but barely adequate and poorly maintained by modern standards; consists of microwave, cable, radio communications, and troposcatter; domestic satellite system with 14 stations; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 3 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT :Sudan Defense Forces:Sudan Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 6,432,270; 3,949,518 fit for military service; 302,696 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $610 million, 7.2% of GDP (1989 est.) :Suriname Geography:Suriname Geography Total area: 163,270 km2 Land area: 161,470 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Georgia Land boundaries: 1,707 km total; Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims area in French Guiana between Litani Rivier and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); claims area in Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne) Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds Terrain: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps Natural resources: timber, hydropower potential, fish, shrimp, bauxite, iron ore, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, gold Land use: arable land NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 97%; other 3%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: mostly tropical rain forest :Suriname People:Suriname People Population: 410,016 (July 1992), growth rate 1.5% (1992) Birth rate: 26 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -5 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 34 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Surinamer(s); adjective - Surinamese Ethnic divisions: Hindustani (East Indian) 37.0%, Creole (black and mixed) 31.0%, Javanese 15.3%, Bush black 10.3%, Amerindian 2.6%, Chinese 1.7%, Europeans 1.0%, other 1.1% Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant (predominantly Moravian) 25.2%, indigenous beliefs about 5% Languages: Dutch (official); English widely spoken; Sranan Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki) is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others; also Hindi Suriname Hindustani (a variant of Bhoqpuri) and Javanese Literacy: 95% (male 95%, female 95%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 104,000 (1984) Organized labor: 49,000 members of labor force :Suriname Government:Suriname Government Long-form name: Republic of Suriname Type: republic Capital: Paramaribo Administrative divisions: 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica Independence: 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands; formerly Netherlands Guiana or Dutch Guiana) Constitution: ratified 30 September 1987 Legal system: NA National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975) Executive branch: president, vice president and prime minister, Cabinet of Ministers, Council of State; note - Commander in Chief of the National Army maintains significant power Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Ronald VENETIAAN (since 16 September 1991); Vice President and Prime Minister Jules AJODHIA (since 16 September 1991) Political parties and leaders: traditional ethnic-based parties: The New Front (NF), a coalition formed of four parties following the 24 December 1990 military coup - Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Jaggernath LACHMON; National Party of Suriname (NPS), Henck ARRON; Indonesian Peasants Party (KTPI), Willie SOEMITA; and Suriname Labor Party (SPA) Fred DERBY; promilitary: National Democratic Party (NDP), Orlando VAN AMSON; Democratic Alternative '91 (DA '91), Winston JESSURUN, a coalition of five parties formed in January 1991 - Alternative Forum (AF), Gerard BRUNINGS, Winston JESSURUN; Reformed Progressive Party (HPP), Panalal PARMESSAR; Party for Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP), Cipriano ALLENDY; Pendawalima, Marsha JAMIN; and Independent Progressive Group, Karam RAMSUNDERSINGH; leftists: Revolutionary People's Party (RVP), Michael NAARENDORP; Progressive Workers and Farmers (PALU), Iwan KROLIS Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 6 September 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - elected by the National Assembly - Ronald VENETIAAN (NF) 80% (645 votes), Jules WIJDENBOSCH (NDP) 14% (115 votes), Hans PRADE (DA '91) 6% (49 votes) National Assembly: last held 25 May 1991 (next to be held NA May 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (51 total) NF 30, NDP 12, DA '91 9 :Suriname Government:Suriname Government Member of: ACP, CARICOM (observer), ECLAC, FAO, GATT, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Willem A. UDENHOUT; Chancery at Suite 108, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-7488 or 7490 through 7492; there is a Surinamese Consulate General in Miami US: Ambassador John (Jack) P. LEONARD; Embassy at Dr. Sophie Redmonstraat 129, Paramaribo (mailing address is P. O. Box 1821, Paramaribo); telephone [597] 472900, 477881, or 476459; FAX [597] 410025 Flag: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a large yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band :Suriname Economy:Suriname Economy Overview: The economy is dominated by the bauxite industry, which accounts for about 70% of export earnings and 40% of tax revenues. The economy has been in trouble since the Dutch ended development aid in 1982. A drop in world bauxite prices which started in the late 1970s and continued until late 1986 was followed by the outbreak of a guerrilla insurgency in the interior that crippled the important bauxite sector. Although the insurgency has since ebbed and the bauxite sector recovered, a military coup in December 1990 reflected continued political instability and deterred investment and economic reform. High inflation, high unemployment, widespread black market activity, and hard currency shortfalls continue to mark the economy. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion, per capita $3,400; real growth rate 0% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 50% (1989 est.) Unemployment rate: 33% (1990) Budget: revenues $466 million; expenditures $716 million, including capital expenditures of $123 million (1989 est.) Exports: $549 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: alumina, bauxite, aluminum, rice, wood and wood products, shrimp and fish, bananas partners: Norway 33%, Netherlands 20%, US 15%, FRG 9%, Brazil 5%, UK 5%, Japan 3%, other 10% Imports: $331 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods partners: US 37%, Netherlands 15%, Netherlands Antilles 11%, Trinidad and Tobago 9%, Brazil 5%, UK 3%, other 20% External debt: $138 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA; accounts for 22% of GDP Electricity: 458,000 kW capacity; 2,018 million kWh produced, 5,015 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: bauxite mining, alumina and aluminum production, lumbering, food processing, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GDP; paddy rice planted on 85% of arable land and represents 60% of total farm output; other products - bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts, beef, chicken; shrimp and forestry products of increasing importance; self-sufficient in most foods Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $2.5 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5 billion Currency: Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (plural - guilders, gulden, or florins); 1 Surinamese guilder, gulden, or florin (Sf.) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Surinamese guilders, gulden, or florins (Sf.) per US$1 - 1.7850 (fixed rate) :Suriname Economy:Suriname Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Suriname Communications:Suriname Communications Railroads: 166 km total; 86 km 1.000-meter gauge, government owned, and 80 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; all single track Highways: 8,300 km total; 500 km paved; 5,400 km bauxite gravel, crushed stone, or improved earth; 2,400 km sand or clay Inland waterways: 1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways Ports: Paramaribo, Moengo Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,472 GRT/8,914 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 container Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 46 total, 40 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: international facilities good; domestic microwave system; 27,500 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 14 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Suriname Defense Forces:Suriname Defense Forces Branches: National Army (including Navy which is company-size, small Air Force element), Civil Police, People's Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 109,551; 65,250 fit for military service Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Svalbard Geography:Svalbard Geography Total area: 62,049 km2 Land area: 62,049 km2; includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island) Comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: none Coastline: 3,587 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway, not recognized by Russia Territorial sea: 4 nm Disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute in the Barents Sea between Norway and Russia Climate: arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year Terrain: wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast clear of ice about half the year; fjords along west and north coasts Natural resources: coal, copper, iron ore, phosphate, zinc, wildlife, fish Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%; there are no trees and the only bushes are crowberry and cloudberry Environment: great calving glaciers descend to the sea Note: located 445 km north of Norway where the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea meet :Svalbard People:Svalbard People Population: 3,181 (July 1992), growth rate -3.9% (1992); about one-third of the population resides in the Norwegian areas (Longyearbyen and Svea on Vestspitsbergen) and two-thirds in the Russian areas (Barentsburg and Pyramiden on Vestspitsbergen); about 9 persons live at the Polish research station Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Ethnic divisions: Russian 64%, Norwegian 35%, other 1% (1981) Languages: Russian, Norwegian Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: none :Svalbard Government:Svalbard Government Long-form name: none Type: territory of Norway administered by the Ministry of Industry, Oslo, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was given to Norway Capital: Longyearbyen Leaders: Chief of State: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991) Head of Government: Governor Leif ELDRING (since NA) Member of: none Flag: the flag of Norway is used :Svalbard Economy:Svalbard Economy Overview: Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. By treaty (9 February 1920), the nationals of the treaty powers have equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some trapping of seal, polar bear, fox, and walrus. Budget: revenues $13.3 million, expenditures $13.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990) Electricity: 21,000 kW capacity; 45 million kWh produced, 11,420 kWh per capita (1989) Currency: Norwegian krone (plural - kroner); 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 ore Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.5189 (March 1992), 6.4829 (1991), 6.2597 (1990), 6.9045 (1989), 6.5170 (1988), 6.7375 (1987) :Svalbard Communications:Svalbard Communications Ports: limited facilities - Ny-Alesund, Advent Bay Airports: 4 total, 4 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 5 meteorological/radio stations; local telephone service; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 (2 repeaters) FM, 1 TV; satellite communication with Norwegian mainland :Svalbard Defense Forces:Svalbard Defense Forces Note: demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920) :Swaziland Geography:Swaziland Geography Total area: 17,360 km2 Land area: 17,200 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 535 km total; Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc Land use: arable land 8%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 67%; forest and woodland 6%; other 19%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion Note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa :Swaziland People:Swaziland People Population: 913,008 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -6 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 98 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 52 years male, 60 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Swazi(s); adjective - Swazi Ethnic divisions: African 97%, European 3% Religions: Christian 60%, indigenous beliefs 40% Languages: English and siSwati (official); government business conducted in English Literacy: 55% (male 57%, female 54%) age 15 and over can read and write (1976) Labor force: 195,000; over 60,000 engaged in subsistence agriculture; about 92,000 wage earners (many only intermittently), with agriculture and forestry 36%, community and social services 20%, manufacturing 14%, construction 9%, other 21%; 16,800 employed in South Africa mines (1990) Organized labor: about 10% of wage earners :Swaziland Government:Swaziland Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Swaziland Type: monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth Capital: Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative) Administrative divisions: 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni Independence: 6 September 1968 (from UK) Constitution: none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended on 12 April 1973; a new constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but has not been formally presented to the people Legal system: based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts, Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Somhlolo (Independence) Day, 6 September (1968) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament is advisory and consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) Head of Government: Prime Minister Obed DLAMINI (since 12 July 1989) Political parties and leaders: none; banned by the Constitution promulgated on 13 October 1978 Suffrage: none Elections: indirect parliamentary election through Swaziland's Tinkhundala System scheduled for November 1992 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, SACU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Absalom Vusani MAMBA; Chancery at 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 362-6683 US: Ambassador Stephen H. ROGERS; Embassy at Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane (mailing address is P. O. Box 199, Mbabane); telephone [268] 46441 through 5; FAX [268] 45959 Flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally :Swaziland Economy:Swaziland Economy Overview: The economy is based on subsistence agriculture, which occupies most of the labor force and contributes nearly 25% to GDP. Manufacturing, which includes a number of agroprocessing factories, accounts for another quarter of GDP. Mining has declined in importance in recent years; high-grade iron ore deposits were depleted in 1978, and health concerns cut world demand for asbestos. Exports of sugar and forestry products are the main earners of hard currency. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa, from which it receives 75% of its imports and to which it sends about half of its exports. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $563 million, per capita $725; real growth rate 5.0% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 13% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $335.4 million; expenditures $360.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY93 est.) Exports: $557 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, citrus, canned fruit partners: South Africa 50% (est.), EC, Canada Imports: $632 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, chemicals partners: South Africa 75% (est.), Japan, Belgium, UK External debt: $290 million (1990) Industrial production: growth rate NA; accounts for 26% of GDP (1989) Electricity: 60,000 kW capacity; 155 million kWh produced, 180 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining (coal and asbestos), wood pulp, sugar Agriculture: accounts for 23% of GDP and over 60% of labor force; mostly subsistence agriculture; cash crops - sugarcane, cotton, maize, tobacco, rice, citrus fruit, pineapples; other crops and livestock - corn, sorghum, peanuts, cattle, goats, sheep; not self-sufficient in grain Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $142 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $518 million Currency: lilangeni (plural - emalangeni); 1 lilangeni (E) = 100 cents Exchange rates: emalangeni (E) per US$1 - 2.7814 (January 1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987); note - the Swazi emalangeni is at par with the South African rand Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March :Swaziland Communications:Swaziland Communications Railroads: 297 km (plus 71 km disused), 1.067-meter gauge, single track Highways: 2,853 km total; 510 km paved, 1,230 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil, and 1,113 km improved earth Civil air: 4 major transport aircraft Airports: 23 total, 21 usable; 1 with permanent-surfaced runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: system consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines and low-capacity microwave links; 17,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Swaziland Defense Forces:Swaziland Defense Forces Branches: Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force, Royal Swaziland Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 197,654; 114,204 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11 million, about 2% of GNP (1989) :Sweden Geography:Sweden Geography Total area: 449,964 km2 Land area: 410,928 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than California Land boundaries: 2,205 km total; Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km Coastline: 3,218 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Terrain: mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west Natural resources: zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower potential Land use: arable land 7%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest and woodland 64%; other 27%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: water pollution; acid rain Note: strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas :Sweden People:Sweden People Population: 8,602,157 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4% (1992) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 81 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Swede(s); adjective - Swedish Ethnic divisions: homogeneous white population; small Lappish minority; foreign born or first-generation immigrants (Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks) about 12% Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 94%, Roman Catholic 1.5%, Pentecostal 1%, other 3.5% (1987) Languages: Swedish, small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities; immigrants speak native languages Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.) Labor force: 4,552,000 community, social and personal services 38.3%, mining and manufacturing 21.2%, commerce, hotels, and restaurants 14.1%, banking, insurance 9.0%, communications 7.2%, construction 7.0%, agriculture, fishing, and forestry 3.2% (1991) Organized labor: 80% of labor force (1990 est.) :Sweden Government:Sweden Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Sweden Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Stockholm Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (lan, singular and plural); Alvsborgs Lan, Blekinge Lan, Gavleborgs Lan, Goteborgs och Bohus Lan, Gotlands Lan, Hallands Lan, Jamtlands Lan, Jonkopings Lan, Kalmar Lan, Kopparbergs Lan, Kristianstads Lan, Kronobergs Lan, Malmohus Lan, Norrbottens Lan, Orebro Lan, Ostergotlands Lan, Skaraborgs Lan, Sodermanlands Lan, Stockholms Lan, Uppsala Lan, Varmlands Lan, Vasterbottens Lan, Vasternorrlands Lan, Vastmanlands Lan Independence: 6 June 1809, constitutional monarchy established Constitution: 1 January 1975 Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Day of the Swedish Flag, 6 June Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral parliament (Riksdag) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Hogsta Domstolen) Leaders: Chief of State: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the King (born 14 July 1977) Head of Government: Prime Minister Carl BILDT (since 3 October 1991) Political parties and leaders: ruling four-party coalition consists of the Moderate Party (conservative), Carl BILDT; Liberal People's Party, Bengt WESTERBERG; Center Party, Olof JOHANSSON; and the Christian Democratic Party, Alf SVENSSON; Social Democratic Party, Ingvar CARLSSON; New Democracy Party, Count Ian WACHTMEISTER; Left Party (VP; Communist), Lars WERNER; Swedish Communist Party (SKP), Rune PETTERSSON; Communist Workers' Party, Rolf HAGEL; Green Party, no formal leader Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Riksdag: last held 15 September 1991 (next to be held NA September 1994); results - Social Democratic Party 37.6%, Moderate Party (conservative) 21.9%, Liberal People's Party 9.1%, Center Party 8.5%, Christian Democrats 7.1%, New Democracy 6.7%, Left Party (Communist) 4.5%, Green Party 3.4%, other 1.2%; seats - (349 total) Social Democratic 138, Moderate Party (conservative) 80, Liberal People's Party 33, Center Party 31, Christian Democrats 26, New Democracy 25, Left Party (Communist) 16; note - the Green Party has no seats in the Riksdag because it received less than the required 4% of the vote Communists: VP and SKP; VP, formerly the Left Party-Communists, is reported to have roughly 17,800 members and attracted 5.8% of the vote in the 1988 election; VP dropped the Communist label in 1990, but maintains a Marxist ideology :Sweden Government:Sweden Government Member of: AfDB, AG (observer) AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-6, G-8, G-9, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, INTELSAT, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Anders THUNBORG; Chancery at Suite 1200, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 944-5600; there are Swedish Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and New York US: Ambassador Charles E. REDMAN; Embassy at Strandvagen 101, S-115 89 Stockholm; telephone [46] (8) 783-5300; FAX [46] (8) 661-1964 Flag: blue with a yellow cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) :Sweden Economy:Sweden Economy Overview: Aided by a long period of peace and neutrality during World War I through World War II, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has essentially full employment, a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy that is heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. In the last few years, however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by inflation, growing absenteeism, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. The new center-right government, facing a sagging economic situation which is unlikely to improve until 1993, is pushing full steam ahead with economic reform proposals to end Sweden's recession and to prepare for possible EC membership in 1995. The free-market-oriented reforms are designed to spur growth, maintain price stability, lower unemployment, create a more efficient welfare state, and further adapt to EC standards. The measures include: cutting taxes, particularly the value-added tax (VAT) and levies on new and small business; privatization; liberalizing foreign ownership restrictions; and opening the welfare system to competition and private alternatives, which the government will still finance. Growth is expected to remain flat in 1992, but increase slightly in 1993, while inflation should remain around 3% for the next few years. On the down side, unemployment may climb to slightly over 4% in 1993, and the budget deficit will reach nearly $9 billion in 1992. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $147.6 billion, per capita $17,200; real growth rate -1.1% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.0% (1991) Unemployment rate: 2.7% (1991) Budget: revenues $67.5 billion; expenditures $78.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92 est.) Exports: $54.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products partners: EC, (FRG, UK, Denmark), US, Norway Imports: $50.2 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothing partners: EC 55.3%, US 8.4% (1990) External debt: $10.7 billion (November 1991) Industrial production: growth rate -5.3% (1991) Electricity: 39,716,000 kW capacity; 142,000 million kWh produced, 16,700 kWh per capita (1991) :Sweden Economy:Sweden Economy Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles Agriculture: animal husbandry predominates, with milk and dairy products accounting for 37% of farm income; main crops - grains, sugar beets, potatoes; 100% self-sufficient in grains and potatoes, 85% self-sufficient in sugar beets Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $10.3 billion Currency: Swedish krona (plural - kronor); 1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 ore Exchange rates: Swedish kronor (SKr) per US$1 - 6.0259 (March 1992), 6.0475 (1991) 5.9188 (1990), 6.4469 (1989), 6.1272 (1988), 6.3404 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Sweden Communications:Sweden Communications Railroads: 12,000 km total; Swedish State Railways (SJ) - 10,819 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 6,955 km electrified and 1,152 km double track; 182 km 0.891-meter gauge; 117 km rail ferry service; privately owned railways - 511 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (332 km electrified); 371 km 0.891-meter gauge (all electrified) Highways: 97,400 km (51,899 km paved, 20,659 km gravel, 24,842 km unimproved earth) Inland waterways: 2,052 km navigable for small steamers and barges Pipelines: natural gas 84 km Ports: Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Kalmar, Malmo, Stockholm; numerous secondary and minor ports Merchant marine: 186 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,665,902 GRT/3,646,165 DWT; includes 10 short-sea passenger, 29 cargo, 3 container, 43 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 12 vehicle carrier, 2 railcar carrier, 33 petroleum tanker, 28 chemical tanker, 4 specialized tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 7 combination ore/oil, 12 bulk, 1 combination bulk, 1 refrigerated cargo Civil air: 115 major transports Airports: 254 total, 252 usable; 139 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 94 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent domestic and international facilities; 8,200,000 telephones; mainly coaxial and multiconductor cables carry long-distance network; parallel microwave network carries primarily radio, TV and some telephone channels; automatic system; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 360 (mostly repeaters) FM, 880 (mostly repeaters) TV; 5 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 EUTELSAT :Sweden Defense Forces:Sweden Defense Forces Branches: Swedish Army, Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,129,996; 1,858,944 fit for military service; 57,492 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $6.2 billion, about 4% of GDP (FY91) :Switzerland Geography:Switzerland Geography Total area: 41,290 km2 Land area: 39,770 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: 1,852 km total; Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers Terrain: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt Land use: arable land 10%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 40%; forest and woodland 26%; other 23%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: dominated by Alps Note: landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe :Switzerland People:Switzerland People Population: 6,828,023 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 76 years male, 83 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Swiss (singular and plural); adjective - Swiss Ethnic divisions: total population - German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%; Swiss nationals - German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 47.6%, Protestant 44.3%, other 8.1% (1980) Languages: total population - German 65%, French 18%, Italian 12%, Romansch 1%, other 4%; Swiss nationals - German 74%, French 20%, Italian 4%, Romansch 1%, other 1% Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) Labor force: 3,310,000; 904,095 foreign workers, mostly Italian; services 50%, industry and crafts 33%, government 10%, agriculture and forestry 6%, other 1% (1989) Organized labor: 20% of labor force :Switzerland Government:Switzerland Government Long-form name: Swiss Confederation Type: federal republic Capital: Bern Administrative divisions: 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Ausser-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Inner-Rhoden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich Independence: 1 August 1291 Constitution: 29 May 1874 Legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Anniversary of the Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) Executive branch: president, vice president, Federal Council (German - Bundesrat, French - Conseil Federal, Italian - Consiglio Federale) Legislative branch: bicameral Federal Assembly (German - Bundesversammlung, French - Assemblee Federale, Italian - Assemblea Federale) consists of an upper council or Council of States (German - Standerat, French - Conseil des Etats, Italian - Consiglio degli Stati) and a lower council or National Council (German - Nationalrat, French - Conseil National, Italian - Consiglio Nazionale) Judicial branch: Federal Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Rene FELBER (1992 calendar year; presidency rotates annually); Vice President Adolf OGI (term runs concurrently with that of president) Political parties and leaders: Free Democratic Party (FDP), Bruno HUNZIKER, president; Social Democratic Party (SPS), Helmut HUBACHER, chairman; Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP), Eva SEGMULLER-WEBER, chairman; Swiss People's Party (SVP), Hans UHLMANN, president; Green Party (GPS), Peter SCHMID, president; Automobile Party (AP), DREYER; Alliance of Independents' Party (LdU), Dr. Franz JAEGER, president; Swiss Democratic Party (SD), NA; Evangelical People's Party (EVP), Max DUNKI, president; Workers' Party (PdA; Communist), Jean SPIELMANN, general secretary; Ticino League, leader NA Liberal Party (LPS), Gilbert COUTAU, president Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Council of States: last held throughout 1991 (next to be held NA 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (46 total) FDP 18, CVP 16, SVP 4, SPS 3, LPS 3, LdU 1, Ticino League 1 :Switzerland Government:Switzerland Government National Council: last held 20 October 1991 (next to be held NA October 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (200 total) FDP 44, SPS 42, CVP 37, SVP 25, GPS 14, LPS 10, AP 8, LdU 6, SD 5, EVP 3, PdA 2, Ticino League 2, other 2 Communists: 4,500 members (est.) Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-8, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IEA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest), NEA, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Edouard BRUNNER; Chancery at 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 745-7900; there are Swiss Consulates General in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco US: Ambassador Joseph B. GILDENHORN; Embassy at Jubilaeumstrasse 93, 3005 Bern; telephone [41] (31) 437-011; FAX [41] (31) 437-344; there is a Branch Office of the Embassy in Geneva and a Consulate General in Zurich Flag: red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag :Switzerland Economy:Switzerland Economy Overview: Switzerland's economic success is matched in few other nations. Per capita output, general living standards, education and science, health care, and diet are unsurpassed in Europe. Economic stability helps promote the important banking and tourist sectors. Since World War II, Switzerland's economy has adjusted smoothly to the great changes in output and trade patterns in Europe and presumably can adjust to the challenges of the 1990s, particularly to the further economic integration of Western Europe and the amazingly rapid changes in East European political and economic prospects. After 8 years of growth, the economy experienced a mild recession in 1991 because monetary policy was tightened to combat inflation and because of the weak international economy. In the second half of 1992, however, Switzerland is expected to resume growth, despite inflation and unemployment problems. GDP growth for 1992 may be just under 1%, inflation should drop from 5.9% to 3.5%, and the trade deficit will continue to decline after dropping by over 15% to $5 billion, due to increased exports to Germany. Unemployment, however, is forecast to rise to 1.6% in 1992, up from 1.3% in 1991 and 0.5% in 1990. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $147.4 billion, per capita $21,700; real growth rate -0.2% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.9% (1991) Unemployment rate: 1.3% (1991) Budget: revenues $24.0 billion; expenditures $23.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990) Exports: $62.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, precision instruments, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles and clothing partners: Western Europe 64% (EC 56%, other 8%), US 9%, Japan 4% Imports: $68.5 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: agricultural products, machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, textiles, construction materials partners: Western Europe 78% (EC 71%, other 7%), US 6% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 0.4% (1991 est.) Electricity: 17,710,000 kW capacity; 59,070 million kWh produced, 8,930 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments Agriculture: dairy farming predominates; less than 50% self-sufficient; food shortages - fish, refined sugar, fats and oils (other than butter), grains, eggs, fruits, vegetables, meat Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $3.5 billion :Switzerland Economy:Switzerland Economy Currency: Swiss franc, franken, or franco (plural - francs, franken, or franchi); 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.4037 (January 1992), 1.4340 (1991), 1.3892 (1990), 1.6359 (1989), 1.4633 (1988), 1.4912 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Switzerland Communications:Switzerland Communications Railroads: 5,174 km total; 2,971 km are government owned and 2,203 km are nongovernment owned; the government network consists of 2,897 km 1.435-meter standard gauge and 74 km 1.000-meter narrow gauge track; 1,432 km double track, 99% electrified; the nongovernment network consists of 710 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 1,418 km 1.000-meter gauge, and 75 km 0.790-meter gauge track, 100% electrified Highways: 62,145 km total (all paved), of which 18,620 km are canton and 1,057 km are national highways (740 km autobahn); 42,468 km are communal roads Inland waterways: 65 km; Rhine (Basel to Rheinfelden, Schaffhausen to Bodensee); 12 navigable lakes Pipelines: crude oil 314 km, natural gas 1,506 km Ports: Basel (river port) Merchant marine: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 325,234 GRT/576,953 DWT; includes 5 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 chemical tanker, 2 specialized tanker, 9 bulk, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 89 major transport aircraft Airports: 66 total, 65 usable; 42 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 18 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent domestic, international, and broadcast services; 5,890,000 telephones; extensive cable and microwave networks; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 265 FM, 18 (1,322 repeaters) TV; communications satellite earth station operating in the INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) system :Switzerland Defense Forces:Switzerland Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, Fortification Guards Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,798,632; 1,544,191 fit for military service; 43,952 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $4.6 billion, about 2% of GDP (1990) :Syria Geography:Syria Geography Total area: 185,180 km2 Land area: 184,050 km2 (including 1,295 km2 of Israeli-occupied territory) Comparative area: slightly larger than North Dakota Land boundaries: 2,253 km total; Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km Coastline: 193 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 6 nm beyond territorial sea limit Territorial sea: 35 nm Disputes: separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Golan Heights is Israeli occupied; Hatay question with Turkey; periodic disputes with Iraq over Euphrates water rights; ongoing dispute over water development plans by Turkey for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Climate: mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast Terrain: primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west Natural resources: crude oil, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum Land use: arable land 28%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 46%; forest and woodland 3%; other 20%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: there are 38 Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights :Syria People:Syria People Population: 13,730,436 (July 1992), growth rate 3.8% (1992); in addition, there are at least 14,500 Druze and 14,000 Jewish settlers in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (1992 est.) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 45 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 67 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Syrian(s); adjective - Syrian Ethnic divisions: Arab 90.3%; Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7% Religions: Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%, Christian (various sects) 10%, tiny Jewish communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian; French widely understood Literacy: 64% (male 78%, female 51%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,400,000; miscellaneous and government services 36%, agriculture 32%, industry and construction 32%; majority unskilled; shortage of skilled labor (1984) Organized labor: 5% of labor force :Syria Government:Syria Government Long-form name: Syrian Arab Republic Type: republic; under leftwing military regime since March 1963 Capital: Damascus Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar`a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Tartus Independence: 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration); formerly United Arab Republic Constitution: 13 March 1973 Legal system: based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 17 April (1946) Executive branch: president, three vice presidents, prime minister, three deputy prime ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral People's Council (Majlis al-Chaab) Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court, High Judicial Council, Court of Cassation, State Security Courts Leaders: Chief of State: President Hafiz al-ASAD (since 22 February 1971); Vice Presidents `Abd al-Halim KHADDAM, Vice President Rif`at al-ASAD, and Vice President Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984) Head of Government: Prime Minister Mahmud ZU`BI (since 1 November 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa TALAS (since 11 March 1984); Deputy Prime Minister Salim YASIN (since NA December 1981); Deputy Prime Minister Mahmud QADDUR (since NA May 1985) Political parties and leaders: ruling party is the Arab Socialist Resurrectionist (Ba`th) Party; the Progressive National Front is dominated by Ba`thists but includes independents and members of the Syrian Arab Socialist Party (ASP), Arab Socialist Union (ASU), Syrian Communist Party (SCP), Arab Socialist Unionist Movement, and Democratic Socialist Union Party Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held December 1998); results - President Hafiz al-ASAD was reelected for a fourth seven-year term with 99.98% of the vote People's Council: last held 22-23 May 1990 (next to be held NA May 1994); results - Ba`th 53.6%, ASU 3.2%, SCP 3.2%, Arab Socialist Unionist Movement 2.8%, ASP 2%, Democratic Socialist Union Party 1.6%, independents 33.6%; seats - (250 total) Ba`th 134, ASU 8, SCP 8, Arab Socialist Unionist Movement 7, ASP 5, Democratic Socialist Union Party 4, independents 84; note - the People's Council was expanded to 250 seats total prior to the May 1990 election :Syria Government:Syria Government Communists: Syrian Communist Party (SCP) Other political or pressure groups: non-Ba`th parties have little effective political influence; Communist party ineffective; conservative religious leaders; Muslim Brotherhood Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Walid MOUALEM; Chancery at 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-6313 US: Ambassador Christopher W. S. ROSS; Embassy at Abu Rumaneh, Al Mansur Street No. 2, Damascus (mailing address is P. O. Box 29, Damascus); telephone [963] (11) 333052 or 332557, 330416, 332814, 332315, 714108, 337178, 333232; FAX [963] (11) 718-687 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with two small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band :Syria Economy:Syria Economy Overview: Syria's state-dominated Ba`thist economy has benefited from the Gulf war, increased oil production, good weather, and economic deregulation. Economic growth averaged nearly 12% annually in 1990-91, buoyed by increased oil production and improved agricultural performance. The Gulf war of early 1991 provided Syria an aid windfall of several billion dollars from Arab, European, and Japanese donors. These inflows more than offset Damascus's war-related costs and will help Syria cover some of its debt arrears, restore suspended credit lines, and initiate selected military and civilian purchases. For the long run, Syria's economy is still saddled with a large number of poorly performing public sector firms; investment levels remain low; and industrial and agricultural productivity is poor. A major long-term concern is the additional drain of upstream Euphrates water by Turkey when its vast dam and irrigation projects are completed by mid-decade. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $30 billion, per capita $2,300; real growth rate 11% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $5.4 billion; expenditures $7.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.9 billion (1991 est.) Exports: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: petroleum 40%, farm products 13%, textiles, phosphates (1989) partners: USSR and Eastern Europe 42%, EC 31%, Arab countries 17%, US/Canada 2% (1989) Imports: $2.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: foodstuffs and beverages 21%, metal and metal products 16%, machinery 14%, textiles, petroleum products (1989) partners: EC 42%, USSR and Eastern Europe 13%, other Europe 13%, US/Canada 8%, Arab countries 6% (1989) External debt: $5.2 billion in hard currency (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6% (1991 est.); accounts for 17% of GDP Electricity: 3,005,000 kW capacity; 8,800 million kWh produced, 680 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, petroleum Agriculture: accounts for 27% of GDP and one-third of labor force; all major crops (wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas) grown mainly on rainfed land causing wide swings in production; animal products - beef, lamb, eggs, poultry, milk; not self-sufficient in grain or livestock products Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $538 million; Western (non-US) ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.23 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $12.3 billion; former Communist countries (1970-89), $3.3 billion Currency: Syrian pound (plural - pounds); 1 Syrian pound (#S) = 100 piasters :Syria Economy:Syria Economy Exchange rates: Syrian pounds (#S) per US$1 - 22.0 (promotional rate since 1991), 11.2250 (fixed rate 1987-90), 3.9250 (fixed rate 1976-87) Fiscal year: calendar year :Syria Communications:Syria Communications Railroads: 2,350 km total; 2,035 km standard gauge, 315 km 1.050-meter (narrow) gauge Highways: 28,000 km total; 22,000 km paved, 3,000 km gravel or crushed stone, 3,000 km improved earth Inland waterways: 672 km; minimal economic importance Pipelines: crude oil 1,304 km, petroleum products 515 km Ports: Tartus, Latakia, Baniyas Merchant marine: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 85,417 GRT/138,078 DWT; includes 25 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 vehicle carrier, 2 bulk Civil air: 35 major transport aircraft Airports: 104 total, 100 usable; 24 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 21 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system currently undergoing significant improvement; 512,600 telephones; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 1 FM, 17 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Intersputnik, 1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey :Syria Defense Forces:Syria Defense Forces Branches: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Force, Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces, Police and Security Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 3,012,671; 1,691,660 fit for military service; 145,976 reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion, 8% of GDP (1989) :Taiwan Geography:Taiwan Geography Total area: 35,980 km2 Land area: 32,260 km2; includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy Comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,448 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai) claimed by China and Taiwan Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos Land use: arable land 24%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 5%; forest and woodland 55%; other 15%; irrigated 14% Environment: subject to earthquakes and typhoons :Taiwan People:Taiwan People Population: 20,878,556 (July 1992), growth rate 1.0% (1992) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Chinese (singular and plural); adjective - Chinese Ethnic divisions: Taiwanese 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2% Religions: mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5% Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official); Taiwanese (Miu) and Hakka dialects also used Literacy: 91.2% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990) Labor force: 7,900,000; industry and commerce 53%, services 22%, agriculture 15.6%, civil administration 7% (1989) Organized labor: 2,728,000 or about 44% (1991) :Taiwan Government:Taiwan Government Long-form name: none Type: multiparty democratic regime; opposition political parties legalized in March, 1989 Capital: Taipei Administrative divisions: the authorities in Taipei claim to be the government of all China; in keeping with that claim, the central administrative divisions include 2 provinces (sheng, singular and plural) and 2 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural) - Fu-chien (some 20 offshore islands of Fujian Province including Quemoy and Matsu), Kao-hsiung*, T'ai-pei*, and Taiwan (the island of Taiwan and the Pescadores islands); the more commonly referenced administrative divisions are those of Taiwan Province - 16 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua, Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan, Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung, T'ai-chung, T'ai-chung*, T'ai-nan, T'ai-nan*, T'ai-pei, T'ai-pei**, T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is at Chung-hsing-hsin-ts'un; note - Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanization Constitution: 25 December 1947, presently undergoing revision Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: National Day (Anniversary of the Revolution), 10 October (1911) Executive branch: president, vice president, premier of the Executive Yuan, vice premier of the Executive Yuan, Executive Yuan Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Yuan, unicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: Judicial Yuan Leaders: Chief of State: President LI Teng-hui (since 13 January 1988); Vice President LI Yuan-zu (since 20 May 1990) Head of Government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) HAO Po-ts'un (since 2 May 1990); Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) SHIH Ch'i-yang (since NA July 1988) Political parties and leaders: Kuomintang (Nationalist Party), LI Teng-hui, chairman; Democratic Socialist Party and Young China Party controlled by Kuomintang; Democratic Progressive Party (DPP); Labor Party; 27 other minor parties Suffrage: universal at age 20 Elections: President: last held 21 March 1990 (next to be held NA March 1996); results - President LI Teng-hui was reelected by the National Assembly Vice President: last held 21 March 1990 (next to be held NA March 1996); results - LI Yuan-zu was elected by the National Assembly :Taiwan Government:Taiwan Government Legislative Yuan: last held 2 December 1989 (next to be held NA December 1992); results - KMT 65%, DPP 33%, independents 2%; seats - (304 total, 102 elected) KMT 78, DPP 21, independents 3 Elections: National Assembly: first National Assembly elected in November 1947 with a supplementary election in December 1986; second National Assembly elected in December 1991 Member of: expelled from UN General Assembly and Security Council on 25 October 1971 and withdrew on same date from other charter-designated subsidiary organs; expelled from IMF/World Bank group April/May 1980; seeking to join GATT; attempting to retain membership in INTELSAT; suspended from IAEA in 1972, but still allows IAEA controls over extensive atomic development; APEC, AsDB, ICC, ICFTU, IOC Diplomatic representation: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of the US are maintained through a private instrumentality, the Coordination Council for North American Affairs (CCNAA) with headquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington and 10 other US cities with all addresses and telephone numbers NA US: unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of Taiwan are maintained through a private institution, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which has offices in Taipei at #7, Lane 134, Hsiu Yi Road, Section 3, telephone [886] (2) 709-2000, and in Kao-hsiung at #2 Chung Cheng 3d Road, telephone [886] (7) 224-0154 through 0157, and the American Trade Center at Room 3207 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei 10548, telephone [886] (2) 720-1550 Flag: red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays :Taiwan Economy:Taiwan Economy Overview: Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with considerable government guidance of investment and foreign trade and partial government ownership of some large banks and industrial firms. Real growth in GNP has averaged about 9% a year during the past three decades. Export growth has been even faster and has provided the impetus for industrialization. Agriculture contributes about 4% to GNP, down from 35% in 1952. Taiwan currently ranks as number 13 among major trading countries. Traditional labor-intensive industries are steadily being replaced with more capital- and technology-intensive industries. Taiwan has become a major investor in China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The tightening of labor markets has led to an influx of foreign workers, both legal and illegal. GNP: purchasing power equivalent - $150.8 billion, per capita $7,380; real growth rate 5.2% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1990); 3.8% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.7% (1990); 1.5% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $30.3 billion; expenditures $30.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY91 est.) Exports: $67.2 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: electrical machinery 18.2%, textiles 15.6%, general machinery and equipment 14.8%, basic metals and metal products 7.8%, foodstuffs 1.7%, plywood and wood products 1.6% (1989) partners: US 36.2%, Japan 13.7% (1989) Imports: $54.7 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and equipment 15.3%, basic metals 13.0%, chemical and chemical products 11.1%, crude oil 5%, foodstuffs 2.2% (1989) partners: Japan 31%, US 23%, FRG 5% (1989) External debt: $1.1 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6.5% (1991 est.) Electricity: 17,000,000 kW capacity; 76,900 million kWh produced, 3,722 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: electronics, textiles, chemicals, clothing, food processing, plywood, sugar milling, cement, shipbuilding, petroleum Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GNP and 16% of labor force (includes part-time farmers); heavily subsidized sector; major crops - vegetables, rice, fruit, tea; livestock - hogs, poultry, beef, milk, cattle; not self-sufficient in wheat, soybeans, corn; fish catch increasing, 1.4 million metric tons (1988) Economic aid: US, including Ex-Im (FY46-82), $4.6 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $500 million Currency: New Taiwan dollar (plural - dollars); 1 New Taiwan dollar (NT$) = 100 cents :Taiwan Economy:Taiwan Economy Exchange rates: New Taiwan dollars per US$1 - 25.000 (February 1992), 25.748 (1991), 27.108 (1990), 26.407 (1989) 28.589 (1988), 31.845 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Taiwan Communications:Taiwan Communications Railroads: about 4,600 km total track with 1,075 km common carrier lines and 3,525 km industrial lines; common carrier lines consist of the 1.067-meter gauge 708 km West Line and the 367 km East Line; a 98.25 km South Link Line connection was completed in late 1991; common carrier lines owned by the government and operated by the Railway Administration under Ministry of Communications; industrial lines owned and operated by government enterprises Highways: 20,041 km total; 17,095 km bituminous or concrete pavement, 2,371 km crushed stone or gravel, 575 km graded earth Pipelines: petroleum products 615 km, natural gas 97 km Ports: Kao-hsiung, Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Su-ao, T'ai-tung Merchant marine: 213 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,491,539 GRT/9,082,118 DWT; includes 1 passenger, 42 cargo, 15 refrigerated cargo, 73 container, 17 petroleum tanker, 3 combination ore/oil, 1 specialized tanker, 58 bulk, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 2 combination bulk Airports: 40 total, 39 usable; 36 with permanent-surface runways; 3 with runways over 3,659 m; 16 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 8 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: best developed system in Asia outside of Japan; 7,800,000 telephones; extensive microwave transmission links on east and west coasts; broadcast stations - 91 AM, 23 FM, 15 TV (13 repeaters); 8,620,000 radios; 6,386,000 TVs (5,680,000 color, 706,000 monochrome); satellite earth stations - 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT; submarine cable links to Japan (Okinawa), the Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe :Taiwan Defense Forces:Taiwan Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, Taiwan General Garrison Headquarters, Ministry of National Defense Manpower availability: males 15-49, 5,982,717; 4,652,586 fit for military service; about 180,706 currently reach military age (19) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9.16 billion, 4.5% of GNP (FY92) :Tajikistan Geography:Tajikistan Geography Total area: 143,100 km2 Land area: 142,700 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Wisconsin Land boundaries: 3,651 km total; Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: boundary with China under dispute Climate: midlatitude semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains Terrain: Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kafirnigan and Vakhsh Valleys in southeast Natural resources: significant hydropower potential, petroleum, uranium, mercury, small production of petroleum, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten Land use: 6% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: NA Note: landlocked :Tajikistan People:Tajikistan People Population: 5,680,242 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992) Birth rate: 40 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 74 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 70 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tajik(s); adjective - Tajik Ethnic divisions: Tajik 62%, Uzbek 24%, Russian 8%, Tatar 2%, other 4% Religions: Sunni Muslim approximately 80%, Shi`a Muslim 5% Languages: Tajik (official) NA% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 1,938,000; agriculture and forestry 43%, industry and construction 22%, other 35% (1990) Organized labor: NA :Tajikistan Government:Tajikistan Government Long-form name: Republic of Tajikistan Type: republic Capital: Dushanbe Administrative divisions: 3 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast') and one autonomous oblast*; Gorno-Badakhshan*; Kurgan-Tyube, Kulyab, Leninabad (Khudzhand); note - the rayons around Dushanbe are under direct republic jurisdiction; an oblast usually has the same name as its administrative center (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union); formerly Tajikistan Soviet Socialist Republic Constitution: adopted NA April 1978 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: NA Executive branch: president, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Soviet Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Rakhman NABIYEV (since NA September 1991); note - a government of National Reconciliation was formed in May 1992; NABIYEV is titular head Head of Government: Prime Minister Akbar MIRZOYEV (since 10 January 1992); First Deputy Prime Minister Davlat USMON Political parties and leaders: Tajik Democratic Party, Shodmon YUSUF, chairman; Rastokhez (Rebirth), Tohir ABDULJABAR, chairman; Islamic Revival Party, Sharif HIMMOT-ZODA, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 27 October 1991 (next to be held NA); results - Rakhman NABIYEV, Communist Party 60%; Daolat KHUDONAZAROV, Democratic Party, Islamic Rebirth Party and Rastokhoz Party 30% Supreme Soviet: last held 25 February 1990 (next to be held NA); results - Communist Party 99%, other 1%; seats - (230 total) Communist Party 227, other 3 Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: Kazi Kolon, Akbar TURAJON-SODA, Muslim leader Member of: CSCE, IMF, UN Diplomatic representation: NA US: Ambassador-designate Stan ESCUDERO; Embassy at Interim Chancery, #39 Ainii Street; Residences: Oktyabrskaya Hotel, Dushanbe (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone [8] (011) 7-3772-24-32-23 :Tajikistan Government:Tajikistan Government Flag: NA; still in the process of designing one :Tajikistan Economy:Tajikistan Economy Overview: Tajikistan has had the lowest standard of living and now faces the bleakest economic prospects of the 15 former Soviet republics. Agriculture is the main economic sector, normally accounting for 38% of employment and featuring cotton and fruits. Industry is sparse, bright spots including electric power and aluminum production based on the country's sizable hydropower resources and a surprising specialty in the production of metal-cutting machine tools. In 1991 and early 1992, disruptions in food supplies from the outside have severely strained the availability of food throughout the republic. The combination of the poor food supply, the general disruption of industrial links to suppliers and markets, and political instability have meant that the republic's leadership could make little progress in economic reform in 1991 and early 1992. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate -9% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 84% (1991) Unemployment rate: 25% (1991 est.) Budget: $NA Exports: $706 million (1990) commodities: aluminum, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles partners: Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Imports: $1.3 billion (1990) commodities: chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, textiles, foodstuffs partners: NA External debt: $650 million (end of 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -2.0% (1991) Electricity: 4,575,000 kW capacity; 17,500 million kWh produced, 3,384 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers Agriculture: cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, yaks Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: NA Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Tajikistan Communications:Tajikistan Communications Railroads: 480 km all 1.520-meter (broad) gauge (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990); 258 km between Dushanbe (Tajikistan) and Termez (Uzbekistan), connects with the railroad system of the other republics of the former Soviet Union at Tashkent in Uzbekistan Highways: 29,900 km total (1990); 24,400 km hard surfaced, 8,500 km earth Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: NA Civil air: NA Airports: NA Telecommunications: poorly developed; telephone density NA; linked by landline or microwave with other CIS member states and by leased connections via the Moscow international gateway switch to other countries; satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT (TV receive only) :Tajikistan Defense Forces:Tajikistan Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground, Air, and Air Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Tanzania Geography:Tanzania Geography Total area: 945,090 km2 Land area: 886,040 km2; includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar Comparative area: slightly larger than twice the size of California Land boundaries: 3,402 km total; Burundi 451 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km Coastline: 1,424 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: boundary dispute with Malawi in Lake Nyasa; Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it is reported that the indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary has been settled Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands Terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south Natural resources: hydropower potential, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel Land use: arable land 5%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 40%; forest and woodland 47%; other 7%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: lack of water and tsetse fly limit agriculture; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa :Tanzania People:Tanzania People Population: 27,791,552 (July 1992), growth rate 3.4% (1992) Birth rate: 49 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 103 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 55 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tanzanian(s); adjective - Tanzanian Ethnic divisions: mainland - native African consisting of well over 100 tribes 99%; Asian, European, and Arab 1% Religions: mainland - Christian 33%, Muslim 33%, indigenous beliefs 33%; Zanzibar - almost all Muslim Languages: Swahili and English (official); English primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education; Swahili widely understood and generally used for communication between ethnic groups; first language of most people is one of the local languages; primary education is generally in Swahili Literacy: 46% (male 62%, female 31%) age 15 and over can read and write (1978) Labor force: 732,200 wage earners; 90% agriculture, 10% industry and commerce (1986 est.) Organized labor: 15% of labor force :Tanzania Government:Tanzania Government Long-form name: United Republic of Tanzania Type: republic Capital: Dar es Salaam; some government offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital by the end of the 1990s Administrative divisions: 25 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, Zanzibar Urban/West, Ziwa Magharibi Independence: Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UN trusteeship under British administration); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964 Constitution: 15 March 1984 (Zanzibar has its own Constitution but remains subject to provisions of the union Constitution) Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Union Day, 26 April (1964) Executive branch: president, first vice president and prime minister of the union, second vice president and president of Zanzibar, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Bunge) Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, High Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Ali Hassan MWINYI (since 5 November 1985); First Vice President John MALECELA (since 9 November 1990); Second Vice President Salmin AMOUR (since 9 November 1990) Head of Government: Prime Minister John MALECELA (since 9 November 1990) Political parties and leaders: only party - Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM or Revolutionary Party), Ali Hassan MWINYI, party chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 28 October 1990 (next to be held NA October 1995); results - Ali Hassan MWINYI was elected without opposition National Assembly: last held 28 October 1990 (next to be held NA October 1995); results - CCM is the only party; seats - (241 total, 168 elected) CCM 168 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-6, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO :Tanzania Government:Tanzania Government Diplomatic representation: Ambassador-designate Charles Musama NYIRABU; Chancery at 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-6125 US: Ambassador Edmund DE JARNETTE, Jr.; Embassy at 36 Laibon Road (off Bagamoyo Road), Dar es Salaam (mailing address is P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam); telephone [255] (51) 66010/13; FAX [255] (51)66701 Flag: divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue :Tanzania Economy:Tanzania Economy Overview: Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for about 47% of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 90% of the work force. Industry accounts for 8% of GDP and is mainly limited to processing agricultural products and light consumer goods. The economic recovery program announced in mid-1986 has generated notable increases in agricultural production and financial support for the program by bilateral donors. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's deteriorated economic infrastructure. Growth in 1991 was featured by a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals led by gold. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $6.9 billion, per capita $260 (1989 est.); real growth rate 4.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.5% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $495 million; expenditures $631 million, including capital expenditures of $118 million (FY90) Exports: $478 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.) commodities: coffee, cotton, sisal, tea, cashew nuts, meat, tobacco, diamonds, gold, coconut products, pyrethrum, cloves (Zanzibar) partners: FRG, UK, Japan, Netherlands, Kenya, Hong Kong, US Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., FY91 est.) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transportation equipment, cotton piece goods, crude oil, foodstuffs partners: FRG, UK, US, Japan, Italy, Denmark External debt: $5.2 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.2% (1988); accounts for 8% of GDP Electricity: 405,000 kW capacity; 905 million kWh produced, 35 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: primarily agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refinery, shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizer Agriculture: accounts for over 45% of GDP; topography and climatic conditions limit cultivated crops to only 5% of land area; cash crops - coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashews, tobacco, cloves (Zanzibar); food crops - corn, wheat, cassava, bananas, fruits, and vegetables; small numbers of cattle, sheep, and goats; not self-sufficient in food grain production Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $400 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $9.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $44 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $614 million :Tanzania Economy:Tanzania Economy Currency: Tanzanian shilling (plural - shillings); 1 Tanzanian shilling (TSh) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Tanzanian shillings (TSh) per US$1 - 236.01 (February (1992), 219.16 (1991), 195.06 (1990), 143.38 (1989), 99.29 (1988), 64.26 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June :Tanzania Communications:Tanzania Communications Railroads: 3,555 km total; 960 km 1.067-meter gauge; 2,595 km 1.000-meter gauge, 6.4 km double track, 962 km Tazara Railroad 1.067-meter gauge; 115 km 1.000-meter gauge planned by end of decade Highways: total 81,900 km, 3,600 km paved; 5,600 km gravel or crushed stone; remainder improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa Pipelines: crude oil 982 km Ports: Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Tanga, and Zanzibar are ocean ports; Mwanza on Lake Victoria and Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika are inland ports Merchant marine: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,185 GRT/22,916 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 2 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 8 major transport aircraft Airports: 104 total, 94 usable; 12 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3, 659 m; 43 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system operating below capacity; open wire, radio relay, and troposcatter; 103,800 telephones; broadcast stations - 12 AM, 4 FM, 2 TV; 1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Tanzania Defense Forces:Tanzania Defense Forces Branches: Tanzanian People's Defense Force (TPDF; including Army, Navy, and Air Force); paramilitary Police Field Force Unit; Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 5,747,542; 3,319,116 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $119 million, about 2% of GDP (FY89 budget) :Thailand Geography:Thailand Geography Total area: 514,000 km2 Land area: 511,770 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming Land boundaries: 4,863 km total; Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km Coastline: 3,219 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with Vietnam Climate: tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid Terrain: central plain; eastern plateau (Khorat); mountains elsewhere Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite Land use: arable land 34%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 30%; other 31%; includes irrigated 7% Environment: air and water pollution; land subsidence in Bangkok area Note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore :Thailand People:Thailand People Population: 57,624,180 (July 1992), growth rate 1.4% (1992) Birth rate: 20 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 35 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Thai (singular and plural); adjective - Thai Ethnic divisions: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11% Religions: Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991) Languages: Thai; English is the secondary language of the elite; ethnic and regional dialects Literacy: 93% (male 96%, female 90%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 30,870,000; agriculture 62%, industry 13%, commerce 11%, services (including government) 14% (1989 est.) Organized labor: 309,000 union members (1989) :Thailand Government:Thailand Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Thailand Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Bangkok Administrative divisions: 72 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date); never colonized Constitution: 22 December 1978; new constitution approved 7 December 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; martial law in effect since 23 February 1991 military coup National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927) Executive branch: monarch, interim prime minister, three interim deputy prime ministers, interim Council of Ministers (cabinet), Privy Council; following the military coup of 23 February 1991 a National Peace-Keeping Council was set up Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Rathasatha) consists of an upper house or Senate (Vuthisatha) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Saphaphoothan-Rajsadhorn) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarndika) Leaders: Chief of State: King PHUMIPHON Adunlayadet (since 9 June 1946); Heir Apparent Crown Prince WACHIRALONGKON (born 28 July 1952) Head of Government: Prime Minister Anan PANYARACHUN (since 10 June 1992) Political parties and leaders: Justice Unity Party (Samakki Tham); Chart Thai Party; Solidarity Party; Thai Citizens Party (TCP, Prachakorn Thai); Social Action Party (SAP); Democrat Party (DP); Force of Truth Party (Palang Dharma); New Aspiration Party; Rassadorn Party; Muanchon Party; Puangchon Chothai Party Suffrage: universal at age 21 :Thailand Government:Thailand Government Elections: House of Representatives: last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held by NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (360 total) Samakki Tham 79, Chart Thai Party 74, New Aspiration Party 72, DP 44, Palang Dharma 41, SAP 31, TCP 7, Solidarity Party 6, Rassadorn 4, Muanchon 1, Puangchon Chotahi 1 Communists: illegal Communist party has 500 to 1,000 members; armed Communist insurgents throughout Thailand total 200 (est.) Member of: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador-designate PHIRAPHONG Kasemsi; Embassy at 2300 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-7200; there are Thai Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York US: Ambassador David F. LAMBERTSON; Embassy at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok (mailing address is APO AP 96546); telephone [66] (2) 252-5040; FAX [66] (2) 254-2990; there is a US Consulate General in Chiang Mai and Consulates in Songkhla and Udorn Flag: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red :Thailand Economy:Thailand Economy Overview: Thailand, one of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, enjoyed a year of 8% growth in 1991, although down from an annual average of 11% growth between 1987 and 1990. The increasingly sophisticated manufacturing sector benefited from export-oriented investment. The manufacturing and service sectors have accounted for the lion's share of economic growth. Thailand's traditional agricultural sector continued to become less important to the overall economy in 1991. The trade deficit continued to increase in 1991, to $11 billion; earnings from tourism and remittances grew marginally as a result of the Gulf War; and Thailand's import bill grew, especially for manufactures and oil. The government has followed fairly sound fiscal and monetary policies. Aided by increased tax receipts from the fast-moving economy; Bangkok recorded its fourth consecutive budget surplus in 1991. The government is moving ahead with new projects - especially for telecommunications, roads, and port facilities - needed to refurbish the country's overtaxed infrastructure. Political unrest and the military's shooting of antigovernment demonstrators in May 1992 have caused international businessmen to question Thailand's political stability. Thailand's general economic outlook remains good, however, assuming the continuation of the government's progrowth measures. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $92.6 billion, per capita $1,630; real growth rate 8% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.6% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.1% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $17.9 billion; expenditures $17.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.0 billion (FY92 est.) Exports: $27.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: machinery and manufactures 62%, food 28%, crude materials 7% (1990) partners: US 23.4%, Japan 17.2%, Singapore 7.3%, Germany 5.3%, Hong Kong 4.8%, UK 4.4%, Netherlands 4.3%, Malaysia, France, China (1990) Imports: $39.0 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery and manufactures 67%, chemicals l0%, fuels 9%, crude materials 6% (1990) partners: Japan 30.2%, US 12%, Singapore 6.9%, Taiwan 5%, Germany 4.8%, China 3.2%, South Korea, Malaysia, UK (1990) External debt: $25.1 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 14% (1990 est.); accounts for about 25% of GDP Electricity: 7,400,000 kW capacity; 37,500 million kWh produced, 660 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: tourism is the largest source of foreign exchange; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, other light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer :Thailand Economy:Thailand Economy Agriculture: accounts for 12% of GDP and 60% of labor force; leading producer and exporter of rice and cassava (tapioca); other crops - rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans; except for wheat, self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: a minor producer, major illicit trafficker of heroin, particularly from Burma and Laos, and cannabis for the international drug market; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been affected by eradication efforts Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $870 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $8.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million Currency: baht (plural - baht); 1 baht (B) = 100 satang Exchange rates: baht (B) per US$1 - 25.614 (March 1992), 25.517 (1991), 25.585 (1990), 25.702 (1989), 25.294 (1988), 25.723 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September :Thailand Communications:Thailand Communications Railroads: 3,940 km 1.000-meter gauge, 99 km double track Highways: 44,534 km total; 28,016 km paved, 5,132 km earth surface, 11,386 km under development Inland waterways: 3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with navigable depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year; numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow-draft native craft Pipelines: natural gas 350 km, petroleum products 67 km Ports: Bangkok, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha Merchant marine: 151 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 628,225 GRT/957,095 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 87 cargo, 11 container, 31 petroleum tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 2 chemical tanker, 3 bulk, 4 refrigerated cargo, 2 combination bulk, 1 passenger Civil air: 41 (plus 2 leased) major transport aircraft Airports: 115 total, 97 usable; 50 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 13 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 28 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: service to general public inadequate; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and radio relay network; 739,500 telephones (1987); broadcast stations - over 200 AM, 100 FM, and 11 TV in government-controlled networks; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT domestic satellite system being developed :Thailand Defense Forces:Thailand Defense Forces Branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (including Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces Manpower availability: males 15-49, 16,361,393; 9,966,446 fit for military service; 612,748 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion, about 3% of GNP (1992 budget) :Togo Geography:Togo Geography Total area: 56,790 km2 Land area: 54,390 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: 1,647 km total; Benin 644 km, Burkina 126 km, Ghana 877 km Coastline: 56 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 30 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble Land use: arable land 25%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest and woodland 28%; other 42%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; recent droughts affecting agriculture; deforestation :Togo People:Togo People Population: 3,958,863 (July 1992), growth rate 3.6% (1992) Birth rate: 48 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 94 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 54 years male, 58 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Togolese (singular and plural); adjective - Togolese Ethnic divisions: 37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabye; under 1% European and Syrian-Lebanese Religions: indigenous beliefs about 70%, Christian 20%, Muslim 10% Languages: French, both official and language of commerce; major African languages are Ewe and Mina in the south and Dagomba and Kabye in the north Literacy: 43% (male 56%, female 31%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: NA; agriculture 78%, industry 22%; about 88,600 wage earners, evenly divided between public and private sectors; 50% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: Federation of Togolese Workers (CNTT) was only legal labor union until Spring 1991; at least two more groups established since then: Labor Federation of Togolese Workers (CSTT) and the National Union of Independent Syndicates (UNSIT), each with 10-12 member unions; four other civil service unions have formed a loose coalition known as the Autonomous Syndicates of Togo (CTSA) :Togo Government:Togo Government Long-form name: Republic of Togo Type: republic; under transition to multiparty democratic rule Capital: Lome Administrative divisions: 21 circumscriptions (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription); Amlame (Amou), Aneho (Lacs), Atakpame (Ogou), Badou (Wawa), Bafilo (Assoli), Bassar (Bassari), Dapango (Tone), Kande (Keran), Klouto (Kloto), Pagouda (Binah), Lama-Kara (Kozah), Lome (Golfe), Mango (Oti), Niamtougou (Doufelgou), Notse (Haho), Pagouda, Sotouboua, Tabligbo (Yoto), Tchamba, Nyala, Tchaoudjo, Tsevie (Zio), Vogan (Vo); note - the 21 units may now be called prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture) and reported name changes for individual units are included in parentheses Independence: 27 April 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French administration, formerly French Togo) Constitution: 1980 constitution nullified during national reform conference; transition constitution adopted 24 August 1991; multiparty draft constitution sent to High Council of the Republic for approval in November 1991, scheduled to be put to public referendum in NA 1992 Legal system: French-based court system National holiday: Independence Day 27 April (1960) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: National Assembly dissolved during national reform conference; 79-member interim High Council for the Republic (HCR) formed to act as legislature during transition to multiparty democracy; legislative elections scheduled to be held in NA Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel), Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA (since 14 April 1967) Head of Government: interim Prime Minister Joseph Kokou KOFFIGOH (since 28 August 1991) Political parties and leaders: Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) led by President EYADEMA was the only party until the formation of multiple parties was legalized 12 April 1991; more than 10 parties formed as of mid-May, though none yet legally registered; a national conference to determine transition regime took place 10 July-28 August 1991 Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: President: last held 21 December 1986 (next to be held NA 1992); results - Gen. EYADEMA was reelected without opposition National Assembly: last held 4 March 1990; dissolved during national reform conference (next to be held April/May 1992); results - RPT was the only party; seats - (77 total) RPT 77 :Togo Government:Togo Government Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEAO (observer), ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ellom-Kodjo SCHUPPIUS; Chancery at 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-4212 or 4213 US: Ambassador Harmon E. KIRBY; Embassy at Rue Pelletier Caventou and Rue Vauban, Lome (mailing address is B. P. 852, Lome); telephone [228] 21-29-91 through 94 and 21-77-17; FAX [228] 21-79-52 Flag: five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia :Togo Economy:Togo Economy Overview: The economy is heavily dependent on subsistence agriculture, which accounts for about 35% of GDP and provides employment for 78% of the labor force. Primary agricultural exports are cocoa, coffee, and cotton, which together account for about 30% of total export earnings. Togo is self-sufficient in basic foodstuffs when harvests are normal. In the industrial sector phosphate mining is by far the most important activity, with phosphate exports accounting for about 40% of total foreign exchange earnings. Togo serves as a regional commercial and trade center. The government, over the past decade, with IMF and World Bank support, has been implementing a number of economic reform measures, that is, actively encouraging foreign investment and attempting to bring revenues in line with expenditures. Political unrest throughout 1991, however, has jeopardized the reform program and has disrupted vital economic activity. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.5 billion, per capita $400; real growth rate 2% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.0% (1990) Unemployment rate: 2.0% (1987) Budget: revenues $330 million; expenditures $363 million, including capital expenditures of $101 million (1990 est.) Exports: $396 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: phosphates, cocoa, coffee, cotton, manufactures, palm kernels partners: EC 70%, Africa 9%, US 2%, other 19% (1985) Imports: $502 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: food, fuels, durable consumer goods, other intermediate goods, capital goods partners: EC 61%, US 6%, Africa 4%, Japan 4%, other 25% (1989) External debt: $1.3 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.9% (1987 est.); 6% of GDP Electricity: 179,000 kW capacity; 209 million kWh produced, 60 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages Agriculture: cash crops - coffee, cocoa, cotton; food crops - yams, cassava, corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock production not significant; annual fish catch, 10,000-14,000 tons Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $132 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $35 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $51 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes :Togo Economy:Togo Economy Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 281.99 (March 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Togo Communications:Togo Communications Railroads: 515 km 1.000-meter gauge, single track Highways: 6,462 km total; 1,762 km paved; 4,700 km unimproved roads Inland waterways: 50 km Mono River Ports: Lome, Kpeme (phosphate port) Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,975 GRT/34,022 DWT; includes 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 multifunction large-load carrier Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 9 total, 9 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system based on network of radio relay routes supplemented by open wire lines; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 3 (2 relays) TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 SYMPHONIE :Togo Defense Forces:Togo Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 828,259; 435,113 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $43 million, about 3% of GDP (1989) :Tokelau Geography:Tokelau Geography Total area: 10 km2 Land area: 10 km2 Comparative area: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 101 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) Terrain: coral atolls enclosing large lagoons Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: lies in Pacific typhoon belt Note: located 3,750 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand :Tokelau People:Tokelau People Population: 1,760 (July 1992), growth rate 0.7% (1992) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1992) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tokelauan(s); adjective - Tokelauan Ethnic divisions: all Polynesian, with cultural ties to Western Samoa Religions: Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2%; on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language) and English Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA :Tokelau Government:Tokelau Government Long-form name: none Type: territory of New Zealand Capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand) Independence: none (territory of New Zealand) Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970 Legal system: British and local statutes National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Executive branch: British monarch, administrator (appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in New Zealand), official secretary Legislative branch: Council of Elders (Taupulega) on each atoll Judicial branch: High Court in Niue, Supreme Court in New Zealand Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Head of Government: Administrator Neil WALTER (since NA February 1988); Official Secretary Casimilo J. PEREZ, Office of Tokelau Affairs Suffrage: NA Elections: NA Member of: SPC Diplomatic representation: none (territory of New Zealand) Flag: the flag of New Zealand is used :Tokelau Economy:Tokelau Economy Overview: Tokelau's small size, isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people must rely on aid from New Zealand to maintain public services, annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 million, per capita $800; real growth rate NA% (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $430,830; expenditures $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (FY87) Exports: $98,000 (f.o.b., 1983) commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts partners: NZ Imports: $323,400 (c.i.f., 1983) commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel partners: NZ External debt: none Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 200 kW capacity; 300,000 kWh produced, 180 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, wood work, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing Agriculture: coconuts, copra; basic subsistence crops - breadfruit, papaya, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $24 million Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural - dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.8245 (March 1992), l.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6708 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March :Tokelau Communications:Tokelau Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from Western Samoa Telecommunications: telephone service between islands and to Western Samoa :Tokelau Defense Forces:Tokelau Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand :Tonga Geography:Tonga Geography Total area: 748 km2 Land area: 718 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 419 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: no specific limits Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base Natural resources: fish, fertile soil Land use: arable land 25%; permanent crops 55%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest and woodland 12%; other 2% Environment: archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited); subject to cyclones (October to April); deforestation Note: located about 2,250 km north-northwest of New Zealand, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and New Zealand :Tonga People:Tonga People Population: 103,114 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 26 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -11 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 70 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tongan(s); adjective - Tongan Ethnic divisions: Polynesian; about 300 Europeans Religions: Christian; Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents Languages: Tongan, English Literacy: 100% (male 100%, female 100%) age 15 and over can read and write a simple message in Tongan or English (1976) Labor force: NA; 70% agriculture; 600 engaged in mining Organized labor: none :Tonga Government:Tonga Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Tonga Type: hereditary constitutional monarchy Capital: Nuku`alofa Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha`apai, Tongatapu, Vava`u Independence: 4 June 1970 (from UK; formerly Friendly Islands) Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967 Legal system: based on English law National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet), Privy Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fale Alea) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) Head of Government: Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991); Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Reform Movement, 'Akilisi POHIVA Suffrage: all literate, tax-paying males and all literate females over 21 Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held 14-15 February 1990 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (29 total, 9 elected) 6 proreform, 3 traditionalist Member of: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, SPC, SPF, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Siosaia a'Ulupekotofa TUITA resides in London US: the US has no offices in Tonga; the Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga and makes periodic visits Flag: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner :Tonga Economy:Tonga Economy Overview: The economy's base is agriculture, which employs about 70% of the labor force and contributes 50% to GDP. Coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops and make up two-thirds of exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The manufacturing sector accounts for only 11% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings, but the island remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $92 million, per capita $900; real growth rate 2.5% (FY90 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.9% (third quarter 1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $30.6 million; expenditures $48.9 million, including capital expenditures of $22.5 million (FY89 est.) Exports: $9.6 million (f.o.b., FY90 est.) commodities: coconut oil, desiccated coconut, copra, bananas, taro, vanilla beans, fruits, vegetables, fish partners: NZ 35%, Australia 22%, US 13%, Fiji 5% (FY90) Imports: $59.9 million (c.i.f., FY90 est.) commodities: food products, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, fuels, chemicals partners: NZ 30%, Australia 23%, US 12%, Japan 7% (FY90) External debt: $42.0 million (FY89) Industrial production: growth rate 15% (FY86); accounts for 11% of GDP Electricity: 6,000 kW capacity; 8 million kWh produced, 80 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, fishing Agriculture: dominated by coconut, copra, and banana production; vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $16 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $258 million Currency: pa'anga (plural - pa'anga); 1 pa'anga (T$) = 100 seniti Exchange rates: pa'anga (T$) per US$1 - 1.2987 (January 1992), 1.2961 (1991), 1.2809 (1990), 1.2637 (1989), 1.2799 (1988), 1.4282 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June :Tonga Communications:Tonga Communications Highways: 198 km sealed road (Tongatapu); 74 km (Vava`u); 94 km unsealed roads usable only in dry weather Ports: Nukualofa, Neiafu, Pangai Merchant marine: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,511 GRT/17,816 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 liquefied gas Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 6 total, 6 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 3,529 telephones; 66,000 radios; no TV sets; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Tonga Defense Forces:Tonga Defense Forces Branches: Tonga Defense Force, Tonga Maritime Division, Royal Tongan Marines, Royal Tongan Guard, Police Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Trinidad and Tobago Geography:Trinidad and Tobago Geography Total area: 5,130 km2 Land area: 5,130 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: none Coastline: 362 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: outer edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December) Terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, asphalt Land use: arable land 14%; permanent crops 17%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest and woodland 44%; other 23%; includes irrigated 4% Environment: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms Note: located 11 km from Venezuela :Trinidad and Tobago People:Trinidad and Tobago People Population: 1,299,301 (July 1992), growth rate 1.1% (1992) Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 73 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s); adjective - Trinidadian, Tobagonian Ethnic divisions: black 43%, East Indian 40%, mixed 14%, white 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 32.2%, Hindu 24.3%, Anglican 14.4%, other Protestant 14%, Muslim 6%, none or unknown 9.1% Languages: English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish Literacy: 95% (male 97%, female 93%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 463,900; construction and utilities 18.1%; manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14.8%; agriculture 10.9%; other 56.2% (1985 est.) Organized labor: 22% of labor force (1988) :Trinidad and Tobago Government:Trinidad and Tobago Government Long-form name: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Port-of-Spain Administrative divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria Independence: 31 August 1962 (from UK) Constitution: 31 August 1976 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Noor Mohammed HASSANALI (since 18 March 1987) Head of Government: Prime Minister Patrick Augustus Mervyn MANNING (since 17 December 1991) Political parties and leaders: People's National Movement (PNM), Patrick MANNING; United National Congress (UNC), Basdeo PANDAY; National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), Carson CHARLES; Movement for Social Transformation (MOTION), David ABDULLAH; National Joint Action Committee (NJAC), Makandal DAAGA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives: last held 16 December 1991 (next to be held by December 1996);results - PNM 32%, UNC 13%, NAR 2%; seats - (36 total) PNM 21, UNC 13, NAR 2 Communists: Communist Party of Trinidad and Tobago; Trinidad and Tobago Peace Council, James MILLETTE Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Corinne BAPTISTE; Chancery at 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 467-6490; Trinidad and Tobago has a Consulate General in New York US: Ambassador Sally GROOMS-COWAL; Embassy at 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain (mailing address is P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain); telephone (809) 622-6372 through 6376, 6176; FAX (809) 628-5462 :Trinidad and Tobago Government:Trinidad and Tobago Government Flag: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side :Trinidad and Tobago Economy:Trinidad and Tobago Economy Overview: Trinidad and Tobago's petroleum-based economy began to emerge from a lengthy depression in 1990 and 1991. The economy fell sharply through most of the 1980s, largely because of the decline in oil prices. This sector accounts for 80% of export earnings and more than 25% of GDP. The government, in response to the oil revenue loss, pursued a series of austerity measures that pushed the unemployment rate as high as 22% in 1988. The economy showed signs of recovery in 1990, however, helped along by rising oil prices. Agriculture employs only about 11% of the labor force and produces about 3% of GDP. Since this sector is small, it has been unable to absorb the large numbers of the unemployed. The government currently seeks to diversify its export base. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $4.9 billion, per capita $3,600; real growth rate 0.7% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.1% (1990) Unemployment rate: 21% (1990) Budget: revenues $1.5 billion; expenditures $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $150 million (1991 est.) Exports: $2.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: includes reexports - petroleum and petroleum products 82%, steel products 9%, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus (1988) partners: US 54%, CARICOM 16%, EC 10%, Latin America 3% (1989) Imports: $1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: raw materials and intermediate goods 47%, capital goods 26%, consumer goods 26% (1988) partners: US 41%, Latin America 10%, UK 8%, Canada 5%, CARICOM 6% (1989) External debt: $2.5 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 2.3%, excluding oil refining (1986); accounts for 40% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 1,176,000 kW capacity; 3,480 million kWh produced, 2,708 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles Agriculture: highly subsidized sector; major crops - cocoa and sugarcane; sugarcane acreage is being shifted into rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry sector most important source of animal protein; must import large share of food needs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $373 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $518 million Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$) = 100 cents :Trinidad and Tobago Economy:Trinidad and Tobago Economy Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$) per US$1 - 4.2500 (March 1992), 4.2500 (1991), 4.2500 (1990), 4.2500 (1989), 3.8438 (1988), 3.6000 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Trinidad and Tobago Communications Railroads: minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando Highways: 8,000 km total; 4,000 km paved, 1,000 km improved earth, 3,000 km unimproved earth Pipelines: crude oil 1,032 km, petroleum products 19 km, natural gas 904 km Ports: Port-of-Spain, Point Lisas, Pointe-a-Pierre Civil air: 14 major transport aircraft Airports: 6 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent international service via tropospheric scatter links to Barbados and Guyana; good local service; 109,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Trinidad and Tobago Defense Forces Branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (Army), Coast Guard, Air Wing, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Manpower availability: males 15-49, 344,990; 248,912 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $59 million, 1-2% of GDP (1989 est.) :Tromelin Island Geography:Tromelin Island Geography Total area: 1 km2 Land area: 1 km2 Comparative area: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 3.7 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 Disputes: claimed by Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles Climate: tropical Terrain: sandy Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other - scattered bushes 100% Environment: wildlife sanctuary Note: located 350 km east of Madagascar and 600 km north of Reunion in the Indian Ocean; climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones :Tromelin Island People:Tromelin Island People Population: uninhabited :Tromelin Island Government:Tromelin Island Government Long-form name: none Type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE (since NA July 1991), resident in Reunion Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion :Tromelin Island Economy:Tromelin Island Economy Overview: no economic activity :Tromelin Island Communications:Tromelin Island Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 with runway less than 1,220 m Telecommunications: important meteorological station :Tromelin Island Defense Forces:Tromelin Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France :Tunisia Geography:Tunisia Geography Total area: 163,610 km2 Land area: 155,360 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Georgia Land boundaries: 1,424 km total; Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km Coastline: 1,148 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Libya; land boundary disputes with Algeria under discussion Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara Natural resources: crude oil, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt Land use: arable land 20%; permanent crops 10%; meadows and pastures 19%; forest and woodland 4%; other 47%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: strategic location in central Mediterranean; only 144 km from Italy across the Strait of Sicily; borders Libya on east :Tunisia People:Tunisia People Population: 8,445,656 (July 1992), growth rate 2.0% (1992) Birth rate: 25 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 38 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tunisian(s); adjective - Tunisian Ethnic divisions: Arab-Berber 98%, European 1%, Jewish less than 1% Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish less than 1% Languages: Arabic (official); Arabic and French (commerce) Literacy: 65% (male 74%, female 56%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,250,000; agriculture 32%; shortage of skilled labor Organized labor: about 360,000 members claimed, roughly 20% of labor force; General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT), quasi-independent of Constitutional Democratic Party :Tunisia Government:Tunisia Government Long-form name: Republic of Tunisia; note - may be changed to Tunisian Republic Type: republic Capital: Tunis Administrative divisions: 23 governorates; Beja, Ben Arous, Bizerte, Gabes, Gafsa, Jendouba, Kairouan, Kasserine, Kebili, L'Ariana, Le Kef, Mahdia, Medenine, Monastir, Nabeul, Sfax, Sidi Bou Zid, Siliana, Sousse, Tataouine, Tozeur, Tunis, Zaghouan Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France) Constitution: 1 June 1959 Legal system: based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session National holiday: National Day, 20 March (1956) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab) Judicial branch: Court of Cassation (Cour de Cassation) Leaders: Chief of State: President Gen. Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) Head of Government: Prime Minister Hamed KAROUI (since 26 September 1989) Political parties and leaders: Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (RCD), President BEN ALI (official ruling party); Movement of Democratic Socialists (MDS), Mohammed MOUAADA; five other political parties are legal, including the Communist Party Suffrage: universal at age 20 Elections: President: last held 2 April 1989 (next to be held NA April 1994); results - Gen. Zine el Abidine BEN ALI was reelected without opposition Chamber of Deputies: last held 2 April 1989 (next to be held NA April 1994); results - RCD 80.7%, independents/Islamists 13.7%, MDS 3.2%, other 2.4%; seats - (141 total) RCD 141 Member of: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ismail KHELIL; Chancery at 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20005; telephone (202) 862-1850 US: Ambassador John T. McCARTHY; Embassy at 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere; telephone [216] (1) 782-566; FAX [216] (1) 789-719 Flag: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam :Tunisia Economy:Tunisia Economy Overview: The economy depends primarily on petroleum, phosphates, tourism, and exports of light manufactures. Following two years of drought-induced economic decline, the economy made a strong recovery in 1990 as a result of a bountiful harvest, continued export growth, and higher domestic investment. Continued high inflation and unemployment have eroded popular support for the government, however, and forced Tunis to slow the pace of economic reform. Nonetheless, the government appears committed to implementing its IMF-supported structural adjustment program and to servicing its foreign debt. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $10.9 billion, per capita $1,320; real growth rate 3.5% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.2% (1991) Unemployment rate: 15% (1991) Budget: revenues $3.8 billion; expenditures $5.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $970 million (1992 est.) Exports: $3.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: hydrocarbons, agricultural products, phosphates and chemicals partners: EC 74%, Middle East 11%, US 2%, Turkey, USSR Imports: $4.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: industrial goods and equipment 57%, hydrocarbons 13%, food 12%, consumer goods partners: EC 67%, US 6%, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Turkey, Algeria External debt: $8.6 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1989); accounts for about 25% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 1,493,000 kW capacity; 4,210 million kWh produced, 530 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, food, beverages Agriculture: accounts for 16% of GDP and one-third of labor force; output subject to severe fluctuations because of frequent droughts; export crops - olives, dates, oranges, almonds; other products - grain, sugar beets, wine grapes, poultry, beef, dairy; not self-sufficient in food; fish catch of 99,200 metric tons (1987) Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $730 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $5.2 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $684 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $410 million Currency: Tunisian dinar (plural - dinars); 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes Exchange rates: Tunisian dinars (TD) per US$1 - 0.9272 (March 1992), 0.9246 (1991), 0.8783 (1990), 0.9493 (1989), 0.8578 (1988), 0.8287 (1987) :Tunisia Economy:Tunisia Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Tunisia Communications:Tunisia Communications Railroads: 2,115 km total; 465 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge; 1,650 km 1.000-meter gauge Highways: 17,700 km total; 9,100 km bituminous; 8,600 km improved and unimproved earth Pipelines: crude oil 797 km, petroleum products 86 km, natural gas 742 km Ports: Bizerte, Gabes, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, La Goulette, Zarzis Merchant marine: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 160,069 GRT/218,791 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 4 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 petroleum tanker, 6 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 5 bulk Civil air: 19 major transport aircraft Airports: 29 total, 26 usable; 13 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 7 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: the system is above the African average; facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial cable, and radio relay; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; 233,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 8 FM, 19 TV; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT with back-up control station; coaxial cable to Algeria and Libya; radio relay to Algeria, and Libya :Tunisia Defense Forces:Tunisia Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces, National Guard Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,117,864; 1,217,819 fit for military service; 88,619 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $520 million, 5% of GDP (1992 budget) :Turkey Geography:Turkey Geography Total area: 780,580 km2 Land area: 770,760 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Texas Land boundaries: 2,627 km total; Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km, Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 331 km, Syria 822 km Coastline: 7,200 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only - to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR Territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea, 12 nm in Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea Disputes: complex maritime and air (but not territorial) disputes with Greece in Aegean Sea; Cyprus question; Hatay question with Syria; ongoing dispute with downstream riparians (Syria and Iraq) over water development plans for the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior Terrain: mostly mountains; narrow coastal plain; high central plateau (Anatolia) Natural resources: antimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper, borate, sulphur, iron ore Land use: arable land 30%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 12%; forest and woodland 26%; other 28%; includes irrigated 3% Environment: subject to severe earthquakes, especially along major river valleys in west; air pollution; desertification Note: strategic location controlling the Turkish straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas :Turkey People:Turkey People Population: 59,640,143 (July 1992), growth rate 2.1% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 populatition (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 55 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 72 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Turk(s); adjective - Turkish Ethnic divisions: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 17%, other 3% (est.) Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 99.8%, other (Christian and Jews) 0.2% Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic Literacy: 81% (male 90%, female 71%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 20,700,000; agriculture 49%, services 30%, industry 15%; about 1,500,000 Turks work abroad (1989) Organized labor: 10% of labor force :Turkey Government:Turkey Government Long-form name: Republic of Turkey Type: republican parliamentary democracy Capital: Ankara Administrative divisions: 73 provinces (iller, singular - il); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyon, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahraman Maras, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Urfa, Usak, Van, Yozgat, Zonguldak Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire) Constitution: 7 November 1982 Legal system: derived from various continental legal systems; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Anniversary of the Declaration of the Republic, 29 October (1923) Executive branch: president, Presidential Council, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Grand National Assembly (Buyuk Millet Meclisi) Judicial branch: Court of Cassation Leaders: Chief of State: President Turgut OZAL (since 9 November 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Suleyman DEMIREL (since 30 November 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Erdal INONU (since 30 November 1991) Political parties and leaders: Correct Way Party (DYP), Suleyman DEMIREL; Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut YILMAZ; Social Democratic Populist Party (SHP), Erdal INONU; Refah Party (RP), Necmettin ERBAKAN; Democratic Left Party (DSP), Bulent ECEVIT; Nationalist Labor Party (MCP), Alpaslan TURKES; People's Labor Party (HEP), Feridun YAZAR; Socialist Unity Party (SBP), leader NA; Great Anatolia Party (BAP), leader NA; Democratic Center Party (DSP), Bedrettin DALAN; Grand National Party (GNP), leader NA Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: Grand National Assembly: last held 20 October 1991 (next to be held NA October 1996); results - DYP 27.03%, ANAP 24.01%, SHP 20.75%, RP 16.88%, DSP 10.75%, SBP 0.44%, independent 0.14%; seats - (450 total) DYP 178, ANAP 115, SHP 86, RP 40, MCP 19, DSP 7, other 5 :Turkey Government:Turkey Government Member of: AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN (observer), COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NATO, NEA, OECD, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNRWA, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Nuzhet KANDEMIR; Chancery at 1606 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC; 20008; telephone (202) 387-3200; there are Turkish Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York US: Ambassador Richard C. BARKLEY; Embassy at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Ankara (mailing address is PSC 88, Box 5000, Ankara, or APO AE 09823); telephone [90] (4) 126 54 70; FAX [90] (4) 167-0057; there are US Consulates General in Istanbul and Izmir, and a Consulate in Adana Flag: red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening :Turkey Economy:Turkey Economy Overview: The impressive stream of benefits from the economic reforms that Turkey launched in 1980 have begun to peter out. Although real growth in per capita GDP averaged 5% annually between 1983 and 1988, recent economic performance has fallen substantially. Moreover, inflation and interest rates remain high, and a large budget deficit will continue to provide difficulties for a country undergoing a substantial transformation from a centrally controlled to a free market economy. Agriculture remains an important economic sector, employing about half of the work force, accounting for 18% of GDP, and contributing 19% to exports. The government has launched a multibillion-dollar development program in the southeastern region, which includes the building of a dozen dams on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to generate electric power and irrigate large tracts of farmland. The planned tapping of huge additional quantities of Euphrates water has raised serious concern in the downstream riparian nations of Syria and Iraq. The Turkish economy emerged from the Gulf War of early 1991 in stronger shape than Ankara had expected. Although the negative effects of the crisis were felt primarily in the politically sensitive southeast, aid pledges by the coalition allies of more than $4 billion have helped offset the burden. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $198 billion, per capita $3,400; real growth rate 1.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 71.1% (1991) Unemployment rate: 11.1% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $41.9 billion; expenditures $49.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $9.9 billion (1992) Exports: $13.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: industrial products (steel, chemicals) 81%; fruits, vegetables, tobacco and meat products 19% partners: EC countries 49%, US 7%, Iran 5% Imports: $22.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, dyes, plastics, rubber, fertilizers, grain partners: EC countries 49%, US 7%, Iran 5% External debt: $49.0 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 10% (1990 est.); accounts for 29% of GDP Electricity: 14,400,000 kW capacity; 44,000 million kWh produced, 750 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: textiles, food processing, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron minerals), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper Agriculture: accounts for 18% of GDP and employs about half of working force; products - tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulses, citrus fruit, variety of animal products; self-sufficient in food most years :Turkey Economy:Turkey Economy Illicit drugs: 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: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $2.3 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $665 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $4.5 billion; note - aid for Persian Gulf war efforts from coalition allies (1991), $4.1 billion; aid pledged for Turkish Defense Fund, $2.5 billion Currency: Turkish lira (plural - liras); 1 Turkish lira (TL) = 100 kurus Exchange rates: Turkish liras (TL) per US$1 - 6,098.4 (March 1992), 4,171.8 (1991), 2,608.6 (1990), 2,121.7 (1989), 1,422.3 (1988), 857.2 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Turkey Communications:Turkey Communications Railroads: 8,401 km 1.435-meter gauge; 479 km electrified Highways: 49,615 km total; 26,915 km paved; 16,500 km gravel or crushed stone; 4,000 km improved earth; 2,200 km unimproved earth (1985) Inland waterways: about 1,200 km Pipelines: crude oil 1,738 km, petroleum products 2,321 km, natural gas 708 km Ports: Iskenderun, Istanbul, Mersin, Izmir Merchant marine: 353 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,056,455 GRT/7,143,096 DWT; includes 7 short-sea passenger, 1 passenger-cargo, 191 cargo, 1 container, 5 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 1 livestock carrier, 37 petroleum tanker, 9 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 10 combination ore/oil, 1 specialized tanker, 80 bulk, 4 combination bulk Civil air: 52 major transport aircraft (1991) Airports: 109 total, 104 usable; 65 with permanent-surface runways; 3 with runways over 3,659 m; 30 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 27 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair domestic and international systems; trunk radio relay network; limited open wire network; 3,400,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 15 AM; 94 FM; 357 TV; 1 satellite ground station operating in the INTELSAT (2 Atlantic Ocean) and EUTELSAT systems; 1 submarine cable :Turkey Defense Forces:Turkey Defense Forces Branches: Land Forces, Navy (including Naval Air and Naval Infantry), Air Force, Coast Guard, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49, 15,274,591; 9,330,851 fit for military service; 597,814 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5.2 billion, 3-4% of GDP (1992 budget) :Turkmenistan Geography:Turkmenistan Geography Total area: 488,100 km2 Land area: 488,100 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: 3,736 km total; Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km Coastline: 0 km note: Turkmenistan does border the Caspian Sea (1,768 km) Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: subtropical desert Terrain: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; borders Caspian Sea in west Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, sulphur, salt, magnesium Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: NA Note: landlocked :Turkmenistan People:Turkmenistan People Population: 3,838,108 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 36 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 94 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 59 years male, 66 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Turkmen(s); adjective - Turkmen Ethnic divisions: Turkmen 72%, Russian 9%, Uzbek 9%, other 10% Religions: Islam 85%, Eastern Orthodox 10%, unknown 5% Languages: Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7% Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA) age 15 and over can read and write Labor force: 1,542,000; agriculture and forestry 42%, industry and construction 21%, other 37% (1990) Organized labor: NA :Turkmenistan Government:Turkmenistan Government Long-form name: none Type: republic Capital: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) Administrative divisions: 4 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast'); Balkan (Nebit-Dag), Chardzhou, Mary, Tashauz; note - the rayons around Ashgabat are under direct republic jurisdiction; all oblasts have the same name as their administrative center except Balkan Oblast, centered at Nebit-Dag Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union; formerly Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic) Constitution: adopted 18 May 1992 Legal system: NA National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991) Executive branch: president, prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: Majlis Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Saparmurad NIYAZOV (since 21 June 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister (vacant), Deputy Prime Ministers V. G. OCHERTSOV and Atta CHARYYEV (since NA 1991) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (formerly Communist), Saparmurad NIYAZOV, chairman opposition: Democratic Party, Durdymorad KHODZHA Mukhammed, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held NA June 1997); results - Saparmurad NIYAZOV 99.5% (ran unopposed) Majlis: last held 7 January 1990 (next to be held NA 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (175 total) elections not officially by party, but Communist Party members won nearly 90% of seats Communists: renamed Democratic Party, 16 December 1990 Other political or pressure groups: Agzybirlik (Unity) Movement Member of: CIS, CSCE, IBRD, IMF, NACC, UN, UNCTAD Diplomatic representation: NA US: Ambassador-designate Joseph HULINGS; Embassy at Yubilenaya Hotel, Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) (mailing address is APO; AE 09862); telephone [8] (011) 7-3630-24-49-08 :Turkmenistan Government:Turkmenistan Government Flag: green field with five claret carpet gels (that is, a repeated carpet pattern) on the hoist side; a white crescent and five white stars in the upper left corner to the right of the carpet gels :Turkmenistan Economy:Turkmenistan Economy Overview: Like the other 15 former Soviet republics, Turkmenistan faces enormous problems of economic adjustment - to move away from Moscow-based central planning toward a system of decisionmaking by private enterpreneurs, local government authorities, and, hopefully, foreign investors. This process requires wholesale changes in supply sources, markets, property rights, and monetary arrangements. Industry - with 10% of the labor force - is heavily weighted toward the energy sector, which produced 11% of the ex-USSR's gas and 1% of its oil. Turkmenistan ranked second among the former Soviet republics in cotton production, mainly in the irrigated western region, where the huge Karakumskiy Canal taps the Amu Darya. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate -0.6% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 85% (1991) Unemployment rate: 20-25% (1991 est.) Budget: NA Exports: $239 million (1990) commodities: natural gas, oil, chemicals, cotton, textiles, carpets partners: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Imports: $970 million (1990) commodities: machinery and parts, plastics and rubber, consumer durables, textiles partners: NA External debt: $650 million (end of 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.1% (1991) Electricity: 3,170,000 kW capacity; 14,900 million kWh produced, 4,114 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: oil and gas, petrochemicals, fertilizers, food processing, textiles Agriculture: cotton, fruits, vegetables Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: NA Currency: As of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Turkmenistan Communications:Turkmenistan Communications Railroads: 2,120 km all 1.520-meter gauge Highways: 23,000 km total (1990); 18,300 km hard surfaced, 4,700 km earth Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: NA Ports: inland - Krasnovodsk Civil air: NA Airports: NA Telecommunications: poorly developed; telephone density NA; linked by landline or microwave to other CIS member states and Iran, and by leased connections via the Moscow international gateway switch to other countries; satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT (TV receive only) :Turkmenistan Defense Forces:Turkmenistan Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground, Air and Air Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Turks and Caicos Islands Geography:Turks and Caicos Islands Geography Total area: 430 km2 Land area: 430 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 389 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch Land use: arable land 2%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures; 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 98% Environment: 30 islands (eight inhabited); subject to frequent hurricanes Note: located 190 km north of the Dominican Republic in the North Atlantic Ocean :Turks and Caicos Islands People:Turks and Caicos Islands People Population: 12,697 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 22 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 13 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 77 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: no noun or adjectival forms Ethnic divisions: majority of African descent Religions: Baptist 41.2%, Methodist 18.9%, Anglican 18.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.7%, other 19.9% (1980) Languages: English (official) Literacy: 98% (male 99%, female 98%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: NA; majority engaged in fishing and tourist industries; some subsistence agriculture Organized labor: Saint George's Industrial Trade Union :Turks and Caicos Islands Government:Turks and Caicos Islands Government Long-form name: none Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town) Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: introduced 30 August 1976, suspended in 1986, and a Constitutional Commission is currently reviewing its contents Legal system: based on laws of England and Wales with a small number adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas National holiday: Constitution Day, 30 August (1976) Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council, chief minister Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor Michael J. BRADLEY (since 1987) Head of Government: Chief Minister Washington MISSIC (since NA 1991) Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Oswald SKIPPINGS; Progressive National Party (PNP), Washington MISSIC; National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Ariel MISSICK Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Council: last held on 3 April 1991 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20 total, 13 elected) PNP 8, PDM 5 Member of: CDB Diplomatic representation: as a dependent territory of the UK, the interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands are represented in the US by the UK US: none Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus :Turks and Caicos Islands Economy:Turks and Caicos Islands Economy Overview: The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and offshore banking. Only subsistence farming - corn and beans - exists on the Caicos Islands, so that most foods, as well as nonfood products, must be imported. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $44.9 million, per capita $5,000; real growth rate NA% (1986) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 12% (1989) Budget: revenues $12.4 million; expenditures $15.8 million, including capital expenditures of $2.6 million (FY87) Exports: $2.9 million (f.o.b., FY84) commodities: lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells partners: US, UK Imports: $26.3 million (c.i.f., FY84) commodities: foodstuffs, drink, tobacco, clothing partners: US, UK External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 9,050 kW capacity; 11.1 million kWh produced, 1,140 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: fishing, tourism, offshore financial services Agriculture: subsistence farming prevails, based on corn and beans; fishing more important than farming; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $110 million Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: calendar year :Turks and Caicos Islands Communications:Turks and Caicos Islands Communications Highways: 121 km, including 24 km tarmac Ports: Grand Turk, Salt Cay, Providenciales, Cockburn Harbour Civil air: Air Turks and Caicos (passenger service) and Turks Air Ltd. (cargo service) Airports: 7 total, 7 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair cable and radio services; 1,446 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, no FM, several TV; 2 submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Turks and Caicos Islands Defense Forces:Turks and Caicos Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK :Tuvalu Geography:Tuvalu Geography Total area: 26 km2 Land area: 26 km2 Comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 24 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) Terrain: very low-lying and narrow coral atolls Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: severe tropical storms are rare Note: located 3,000 km east of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean :Tuvalu People:Tuvalu People Population: 9,494 (July 1992), growth rate 1.8% (1992) Birth rate: 28 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 34 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 61 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Tuvaluans(s); adjective - Tuvaluan Ethnic divisions: 96% Polynesian Religions: Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6% Languages: Tuvaluan, English Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA Organized labor: none :Tuvalu Government:Tuvalu Government Long-form name: none Type: democracy Capital: Funafuti Administrative divisions: none Independence: 1 October 1978 (from UK; formerly Ellice Islands) Constitution: 1 October 1978 National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1978) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Palamene) Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Tupua LEUPENA (since 1 March 1986) Head of Government: Prime Minister Bikenibeu PAENIU (since 16 October 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Alesana SELUKA (since October 1989) Political parties and leaders: none Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Parliament: last held 28 September 1989 (next to be held by NA September 1993); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (12 total) Member of: ACP, C (special), ESCAP, SPC, SPF, UPU Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant) US: none Flag: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands :Tuvalu Economy:Tuvalu Economy Overview: Tuvalu consists of a scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. The islands are too small and too remote for development of a tourist industry. Government revenues largely come from the sale of stamps and coins and worker remittances. Substantial income is received annually from an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, New Zealand, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $4.6 million, per capita $530; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1984) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $4.3 million; expenditures $4.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989) Exports: $1.0 million (f.o.b., 1983 est.) commodities: copra partners: Fiji, Australia, NZ Imports: $2.8 million (c.i.f., 1983 est.) commodities: food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods partners: Fiji, Australia, NZ External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA Electricity: 2,600 kW capacity; 3 million kWh produced, 330 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: fishing, tourism, copra Agriculture: coconuts, copra Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $1 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $101 million Currency: Tuvaluan dollar and Australian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Tuvaluan dollar ($T) or 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Tuvaluan dollars ($T) or Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3117 (March 1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987) Fiscal year: NA :Tuvalu Communications:Tuvalu Communications Highways: 8 km gravel Ports: Funafuti, Nukufetau Merchant marine: 1 passenger-cargo (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,043 GRT/450 DWT Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 1 with runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 300 radiotelephones; 4,000 radios; 108 telephones :Tuvalu Defense Forces:Tuvalu Defense Forces Branches: Police Force Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GNP :Uganda Geography:Uganda Geography Total area: 236,040 km2 Land area: 199,710 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: 2,698 km total; Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km, Zaire 765 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast Terrain: mostly plateau with rim of mountains Natural resources: copper, cobalt, limestone, salt Land use: arable land 23%; permanent crops 9%; meadows and pastures 25%; forest and woodland 30%; other 13%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: straddles Equator; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion Note: landlocked :Uganda People:Uganda People Population: 19,386,104 (July 1992), growth rate 3.7% (1992) Birth rate: 51 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 91 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 52 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Ugandan(s); adjective - Ugandan Ethnic divisions: African 99%, European, Asian, Arab 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, rest indigenous beliefs Languages: English (official); Luganda and Swahili widely used; other Bantu and Nilotic languages Literacy: 48% (male 62%, female 35%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 4,500,000 (est.); 50% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: 125,000 union members :Uganda Government:Uganda Government Long-form name: Republic of Uganda Type: republic Capital: Kampala Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Busoga, Central, Eastern, Karamoja, Nile, North Buganda, Northern, South Buganda, Southern, Western Independence: 9 October 1962 (from UK) Constitution: 8 September 1967, in process of constitutional revision Legal system: government plans to restore system based on English common law and customary law and reinstitute a normal judicial system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 9 October (1962) Executive branch: president, vice president, prime minister, three deputy prime ministers, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Resistance Council Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, High Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since 29 January 1986); Vice President Samson Babi Mululu KISEKKA (since NA January 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister George Cosmas ADYEBO (since NA January 1991) Political parties and leaders: only party - National Resistance Movement (NRM); note - the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), Ugandan People's Congress (UPC), Democratic Party (DP), and Conservative Party (CP) are all proscribed from conducting public political activities Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Resistance Council: last held 11-28 February 1989 (next to be held by January 1995); results - NRM was the only party; seats - (278 total, 210 indirectly elected) 210 members elected without party affiliation Other political or pressure groups: Uganda People's Front (UPF), Uganda People's Christian Democratic Army (UPCDA), Ruwenzori Movement Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Stephen Kapimpina KATENTA-APULI; 5909 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011; telephone (202) 726-7100 through 7102 US: Ambassador Johnnie CARSON; Embassy at Parliament Avenue, Kampala (mailing address is P. O. Box 7007, Kampala); telephone [256] (41) 259792, 259793, 259795 :Uganda Government:Uganda Government Flag: six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the staff side :Uganda Economy:Uganda Economy Overview: Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. The economy has been devastated by widespread political instability, mismanagement, and civil war since independence in 1962, keeping Uganda poor with a per capita income of about $300. (GDP remains below the levels of the early 1970s, as does industrial production.) Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee is the major export crop and accounts for the bulk of export revenues. Since 1986 the government has acted to rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing petroleum prices, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation, which was running at over 300% in 1987, and boosting production and export earnings. During the period 1990-91, the economy turned in a solid performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports, and gradually improving domestic security. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.6 billion, per capita $300; real growth rate 4.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $365 million; expenditures $545 million, including capital expenditures of $165 million (FY89 est.) Exports: $208 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: coffee 97%, cotton, tea partners: US 25%, UK 18%, France 11%, Spain 10% Imports: $209 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: petroleum products, machinery, cotton piece goods, metals, transportation equipment, food partners: Kenya 25%, UK 14%, Italy 13% External debt: $1.9 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.0% (1990); accounts for 5% of GDP Electricity: 175,000 kW capacity; 315 million kWh produced, 15 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement Agriculture: mainly subsistence; accounts for 57% of GDP and over 80% of labor force; cash crops - coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco; food crops - cassava, potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; livestock products - beef, goat meat, milk, poultry; self-sufficient in food Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $145 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.4 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $60 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $169 million :Uganda Economy:Uganda Economy Currency: Ugandan shilling (plural - shillings); 1 Ugandan shilling (USh) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Ugandan shillings (USh) per US$1 - 1,031.3 (March 1992), 734.0 (1991), 428.85 (1990), 223.1 (1989), 106.1 (1988), 42.8 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Uganda Communications:Uganda Communications Railroads: 1,300 km, 1.000-meter-gauge single track Highways: 26,200 km total; 1,970 km paved; 5,849 km crushed stone, gravel, and laterite; remainder earth roads and tracks Inland waterways: Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake George, Lake Edward; Victoria Nile, Albert Nile; principal inland water ports are at Jinja and Port Bell, both on Lake Victoria Merchant marine: 1 roll-on/roll-off (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,697 GRT Civil air: 6 major transport aircraft Airports: 35 total, 27 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system with microwave and radio communications stations; broadcast stations - 10 AM, no FM, 9 TV; satellite communications ground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT :Uganda Defense Forces:Uganda Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, about 4,132,887; about 2,243,933 for military service Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Ukraine Geography:Ukraine Geography Total area: 603,700 km2 Land area: 603,700 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: 4,558 km total; Belarus 891 km, Czechoslovakia 90 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km, Poland 428 km, Romania (southwest) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia 1,576 km Coastline: 2,782 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: NA nm Continental shelf: NA meter depth Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm Exclusive economic zone: NA nm Territorial sea: NA nm Disputes: potential border disputes with Moldova and Romania in northern Bukovina and southern Odessa oblast Climate: temperate continental; subtropical only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south Terrain: most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaux, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean peninsula in the extreme south Natural resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulphur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber Land use: 56% arable land; 2% permanent crops; 12% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; 30% other; includes 3% irrigated Environment: air and water pollution, deforestation, radiation contamination around Chernobyl nuclear plant Note: strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; second largest country in Europe :Ukraine People:Ukraine People Population: 51,940,426 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 75 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Ukrainian(s); adjective - Ukrainian Ethnic divisions: Ukrainian 73%, Russian 22%, Jewish 1%, other 4% Religions: Ukrainian Autonomous Orthodox, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox, Ukrainian Catholic (Uniate), Protestant, Jewish Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish Literacy: NA% Labor force: 25,277,000; industry and construction 41%, agriculture and forestry 19%, health, education, and culture 18%, trade and distribution 8%, transport and communication 7%, other 7% (1990) Organized labor: NA :Ukraine Government:Ukraine Government Long-form name: none Type: republic Capital: Kiev (Kyyiv) Administrative divisions: 24 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast') and 1 autonomous republic* (avtomnaya respublika); Chernigov, Cherkassy, Chernovtsy, Dnepropetrovsk, Donetsk, Ivano-Frankovsk, Khar'kov, Kherson, Khmel'nitskiy, Kiev, Kirovograd, Krym (Simferopol')*, Lugansk, L'vov, Nikolayev, Odessa, Poltava, Rovno, Sumy, Ternopol', Vinnitsa, Volyn' (Lutsk), Zakarpat (Uzhgorod), Zaporozh'ye, Zhitomir; note - an oblast usually has the same name as its administrative center (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 24 August 1991; 1 December 1991 de facto from USSR; note - formerly the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in the Soviet Union Constitution: currently being drafted Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: Independence Day, 24 August (1991) Executive branch: president, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council Judicial branch: being organized Leaders: Chief of State: President Leonid M. KRAVCHUK (since 5 December 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Vitol'd FOKIN (since 14 November 1991); two First Deputy Prime Ministers: Valentyn SYMONENKO and Konstantyn MASYK (since 21 May 1991); two Deputy Prime Ministers: Oleh SLEPICHEV and Viktor SYTNYK (since 21 May 1991) Political parties and leaders: Ukrainian Republican Party, Levko LUKYANENKO, chairman; Green Party, Yuriy SHCHERBAK, chairman; Social Democratic Party, Andriy NOSENKO, chairman; Ukrainian Democratic Party, Yuriy BADZO, chairman; Democratic Rebirth Party, Oleksandr Volodymyr GRINEV, Oleksandr FILENKO, YEMETS, Miroslav POPOVICH, Sergei LYLYK, Oleksandr BAZYLYUK, Valeriy KHMELKO, leaders; People's Party of Ukraine, Leopold TABURYANSKIY, chairman; Peasant Democratic Party, Jerhiy PLACHYNDA, chairman; Ukrainian Socialist Party, Oleksandr MOROZ, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 1 December 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Leonid KRAVCHUK 61.59%, Vyacheslav CHERNOVIL 23.27%, Levko LUKYANENKO 4.49%, Volodymyr GRINEV 4.17%, Iher YUKHNOVSKY 1.74%, Leopold TABURYANSKIY 0.57% Supreme Council: last held 4 March 1990 (next scheduled for 1995, may be held earlier in late 1992 or 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (NA total) number of seats by party NA :Ukraine Government:Ukraine Government Communists: Communist Party of Ukraine was banned by decree of the Supreme Council on 30 August 1991 Other political or pressure groups: Ukraninan People's Movement for Restructuring (RUKH) Member of: CIS, CSCE, CE, ECE, IAEA, IMF, INMARSAT, IOC, ITU, NACC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Oleh H. BILORUS; Embassy at 1828 L Street, NW, Suite 711, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 296-6960 US: Ambassador Roman POPADIUK; Embassy at ;10 Vul. Yuriy Kotsubinskoho, Kiev (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone (044) 244-7349; FAX (044) 244-7350 Flag: two horizontal bars of equal size: azure (sky blue) top half, golden yellow bottom half (represents grainfields under a blue sky) :Ukraine Economy Overview: Because of its size, geographic location, Slavic population, and rich resources, the loss of Ukraine was the final and most bitter blow to the Soviet leaders wishing to preserve some semblance of the old political, military, and economic power of the USSR. After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union producing more than three times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its well-developed and diversified heavy industry supplied equipment and raw materials to industrial and mining sites in other regions of the USSR. In early 1992 the continued wholesale disruption of economic ties and the lack of an institutional structure necessary to formulate and implement economic reforms preclude a near-term recovery of output. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate -10% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 83% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: not finalized as of May 1992 Exports: $13.5 billion (1990) commodities: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, grain, meat partners: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan Imports: $16.7 billion (1990) commodities: machinery and parts, transportation equipment, chemicals, textiles partners: none *** No entry for this item *** External debt: $10.4 billion (end of 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -4.5% (1991) Electricity: NA kW capacity; 298,000 million kWh produced, 5,758 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food-processing Agriculture: grain, vegetables, meat, milk Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: $NA :Ukraine Economy:Ukraine Economy Currency: as of August 1992 using ruble and Ukrainian coupons as legal tender; Ukraine plans to withdraw the ruble from circulation and convert to a coupon-based economy on 1 October 1992; Ukrainian officials claim this will be an interim move toward introducing a Ukrainian currency - the hryvnya - possibly as early as January 1993 Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Ukraine Communications:Ukraine Communications Railroads: 22,800 km all 1.500-meter gauge; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 273,700 km total (1990); 236,400 km hard surfaced, 37,300 km earth Inland waterways: NA km perennially navigable Pipelines: NA Ports: maritime - Berdyansk, Il'ichevsk Kerch', Kherson, Mariupol' (formerly Zhdanov), Nikolayev, Odessa, Sevastopol', Yuzhnoye; inland - Kiev Merchant marine: 338 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,117,595 GRT/5,403,685 DWT; includes 221 cargo, 11 container, 9 barge carriers, 59 bulk cargo, 9 petroleum tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 24 passenger Civil air: NA major transport aircraft Airports: NA Telecommunications: inheriting part of the former USSR system, Ukraine has about 7 million telephone lines (13.5 telephones for each 100 persons); as of 31 January 1990, 3.56 million applications for telephones could not be satisfied; international calls can be made via satellite, by landline to other CIS countries, and through the Moscow international switching center; satellite earth stations employ INTELSAT, INMARSAT, and Intersputnik :Ukraine Defense Forces:Ukraine Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground Navy, Air, and Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :United Arab Emirates Geography:United Arab Emirates Geography Total area: 83,600 km2 Land area: 83,600 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: 1,016 km total; Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 586 km, Qatar 20 km Coastline: 1,448 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: defined by bilateral boundaries or equidistant line Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm (assumed), 12 nm for Ash Shariqah (Sharjah) Disputes: boundary with Qatar is unresolved; no defined boundary with Saudi Arabia; no defined boundary with most of Oman, but Administrative Line in far north; claims two islands in the Persian Gulf occupied by Iran (Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg or Greater Tunb, and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek or Lesser Tunb); claims island in the Persian Gulf jointly administered with Iran (Jazireh-ye Abu Musa or Abu Musa,) Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert waste- land; mountains in east Natural resources: crude oil and natural gas Land use: arable land NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest and woodland NEGL%; other 98%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: frequent dust and sand storms; lack of natural freshwater resources being overcome by desalination plants; desertification Note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil :United Arab Emirates People:United Arab Emirates People Population: 2,522,315 (July 1992), growth rate 5.4% (1992) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 3 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 27 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 74 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Emirian(s), adjective - Emirian Ethnic divisions: Emirian 19%, other Arab 23%, South Asian (fluctuating) 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8%; less than 20% of the population are UAE citizens (1982) Religions: Muslim 96% (Shi`a 16%); Christian, Hindu, and other 4% Languages: Arabic (official); Persian and English widely spoken in major cities; Hindi, Urdu Literacy: 68% (male 70%, female 63%) age 10 and over but definition of literacy not available (1980) Labor force: 580,000 (1986 est.); industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 5%; 80% of labor force is foreign Organized labor: trade unions are illegal :United Arab Emirates Government:United Arab Emirates Government Long-form name: United Arab Emirates (no short-form name); abbreviated UAE Type: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE central government and other powers reserved to member emirates Capital: Abu Dhabi Administrative divisions: 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), `Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn Independence: 2 December 1971 (from UK; formerly Trucial States) Constitution: 2 December 1971 (provisional) Legal system: secular codes are being introduced by the UAE Government and in several member shaykhdoms; Islamic law remains influential National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1971) Executive branch: president, vice president, Supreme Council of Rulers, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Federal National Council (Majlis Watani Itihad) Judicial branch: Union Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Shaykh Zayid bin Sultan Al NUHAYYAN, (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Dhabi; Vice President Shaykh Maktum bin Rashid al-MAKTUM (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy Head of Government: Prime Minister Shaykh Maktum bin Rashid al-MAKTUM (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy; Deputy Prime Minister Sultan bin Zayid Al NUHAYYAN (since 20 November 1990) Political parties and leaders: none Suffrage: none Elections: none Other political or pressure groups: a few small clandestine groups may be active Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Muhammad bin Husayn Al SHAALI; Chancery at Suite 740, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 338-6500 US: Ambassador Edward S. WALKER, Jr.; Embassy at Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi (mailing address is P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi); telephone [971] (2) 336691, afterhours 338730; FAX [971] (2) 318441; there is a US Consulate General in Dubayy (Dubai) Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a thicker vertical red band on the hoist side :United Arab Emirates Economy:United Arab Emirates Economy Overview: The UAE has an open economy with one of the world's highest incomes per capita outside the OECD nations. This wealth is based on oil and gas, and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, when petroleum prices shot up, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, crude oil reserves should last for over 100 years. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $33.7 billion, per capita $14,100 (1990); real growth rate 11% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NEGL (1988) Budget: revenues $3.8 billion; expenditures $3.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.) Exports: $21.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: crude oil 65%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates partners: Japan 35%, Singapore 6%, US 4%, Korea 3% Imports: $11.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: food, consumer and capital goods partners: Japan 14%, UK 10%, US 9%, Germany 9% External debt: $11.0 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: NA Electricity: 5,800,000 kW capacity; 17,000 million kWh produced, 7,115 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling Agriculture: accounts for 2% of GDP and 5% of labor force; cash crop - dates; food products - vegetables, watermelons, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish; only 25% self-sufficient in food Economic aid: donor - pledged $9.1 billion in bilateral aid to less developed countries (1979-89) Currency: Emirian dirham (plural - dirhams); 1 Emirian dirham (Dh) = 100 fils Exchange rates: Emirian dirhams (Dh) per US$1 - 3.6710 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: calendar year :United Arab Emirates Communications:United Arab Emirates Communications Highways: 2,000 km total; 1,800 km bituminous, 200 km gravel and graded earth Pipelines: crude oil 830 km, natural gas, including natural gas liquids, 870 km Ports: Al Fujayrah, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal `Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid Merchant marine: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,033,866 GRT/1,772,646 DWT; includes 18 cargo, 8 container, 3 roll-on/roll-off, 20 petroleum tanker, 4 bulk, 1 refrigerated cargo, 1 vehicle carrier Civil air: 10 major transport aircraft Airports: 37 total, 34 usable; 20 with permanent-surface runways; 7 with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate system of microwave and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubayy; 386,600 telephones; broadcast stations - 8 AM, 3 FM, 12 TV; satellite communications ground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave to Saudi Arabia :United Arab Emirates Defense Forces:United Arab Emirates Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Federal Police Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 974,288; 533,673 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.47 billion, 5.3% of GDP (1989 est.) :United Kingdom Geography:United Kingdom Geography Total area: 244,820 km2 Land area: 241,590 km2; includes Rockall and Shetland Islands Comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon Land boundaries: 360 km; Ireland 360 km Coastline: 12,429 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Northern Ireland question with Ireland; Gibraltar question with Spain; Argentina claims Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); Argentina claims South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Mauritius claims island of Diego Garcia in British Indian Ocean Territory; Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and Ireland (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than half of the days are overcast Terrain: mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast Natural resources: coal, crude oil, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron ore, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica Land use: arable land 29%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 48%; forest and woodland 9%; other 14%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: pollution control measures improving air, water quality; because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters Note: lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and now being linked by tunnel under the English Channel :United Kingdom People:United Kingdom People Population: 57,797,514 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Briton(s), British (collective pl.); adjective - British Ethnic divisions: English 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%, Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8% Religions: Anglican 27.0 million, Roman Catholic 5.3 million, Presbyterian 2.0 million, Methodist 760,000, Jewish 410,000 Languages: English, Welsh (about 26% of population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland) Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1978 est.) Labor force: 26,177,000; services 60.6%, manufacturing and construction 27.2%, government 8.9%, energy 2.1%, agriculture 1.2% (June 1991) Organized labor: 40% of labor force (1991) :United Kingdom Government:United Kingdom Government Long-form name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; abbreviated UK Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: London Administrative divisions: 47 counties, 7 metropolitan counties, 26 districts, 9 regions, and 3 islands areas England: 39 counties, 7 metropolitan counties*; Avon, Bedford, Berkshire, Buckingham, Cambridge, Cheshire, Cleveland, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derby, Devon, Dorset, Durham, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucester, Greater London*, Greater Manchester*, Hampshire, Hereford and Worcester, Hertford, Humberside, Isle of Wight, Kent, Lancashire, Leicester, Lincoln, Merseyside*, Norfolk, Northampton, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Nottingham, Oxford, Shropshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire*, Stafford, Suffolk, Surrey, Tyne and Wear*, Warwick, West Midlands*, West Sussex, West Yorkshire*, Wiltshire Northern Ireland: 26 districts; Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Down, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, Londonderry, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane Scotland: 9 regions, 3 islands areas*; Borders, Central, Dumfries and Galloway, Fife, Grampian, Highland, Lothian, Orkney*, Shetland*, Strathclyde, Tayside, Western Isles* Wales: 8 counties; Clwyd, Dyfed, Gwent, Gwynedd, Mid Glamorgan, Powys, South Glamorgan, West Glamorgan Independence: 1 January 1801, United Kingdom established Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Dependent areas: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands Legal system: common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental influences; no judicial review of Acts of Parliament; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or House of Lords and a lower house or House of Commons Judicial branch: House of Lords Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the Queen, born 14 November 1948) Head of Government: Prime Minister John MAJOR (since 28 November 1990) :United Kingdom Government:United Kingdom Government Political parties and leaders: Conservative and Unionist Party, John MAJOR; Labor Party, John SMITH; Liberal Democrats (LD), Jeremy (Paddy) ASHDOWN; Scottish National Party, Alex SALMOND; Welsh National Party (Plaid Cymru), Dafydd Iwan WIGLEY; Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland), James MOLYNEAUX; Democratic Unionist Party (Northern Ireland), Rev. Ian PAISLEY; Ulster Popular Unionist Party (Northern Ireland), James KILFEDDER; Social Democratic and Labor Party (SDLP, Northern Ireland), John HUME; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland), Gerry ADAMS; Alliance Party (Northern Ireland), John ALDERDICE; Democratic Left, Nina TEMPLE Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Commons: last held 9 April 1992 (next to be held by NA April 1997); results - Conservative 41.9%, Labor 34.5%, Liberal Democratic 17.9%, other 5.7%; seats - (651 total) Conservative 336, Labor 271, Liberal Democratic 20, other 24 Communists: 15,961 Other political or pressure groups: Trades Union Congress, Confederation of British Industry, National Farmers' Union, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, BIS, C, CCC, CDB, CE, CERN, COCOM, CP, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECA (associate), ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESCAP, ESA, FAO, G-5, G-7, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NATO, NEA, OECD, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UN Trusteeship Council, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Sir Robin RENWICK; Chancery at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 462-1340; there are British Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, and Consulates in Dallas, Miami, and Seattle US: Ambassador Raymond G. H. SEITZ; Embassy at 24/31 Grosvenor Square, London, W.1A1AE, (mailing address is FPO AE 09498-4040); telephone [44] (71) 499-9000; FAX 409-1637; there are US Consulates General in Belfast and Edinburgh Flag: blue with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); known as the Union Flag or Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including dependencies, Commonwealth countries, and others Note: Hong Kong is scheduled to become a Special Administrative Region of China in 1997 :United Kingdom Economy:United Kingdom Economy Overview: The UK is one of the world's great trading powers and financial centers, and its economy ranks among the four largest in Europe. The economy is essentially capitalistic with a generous admixture of social welfare programs and government ownership. Prime Minister MAJOR has continued the basic thrust of THATCHER's efforts to halt the expansion of welfare measures and promote extensive reprivatization of the government economic sector. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force. Industry is a mixture of public and private enterprises, employing about 27% of the work force and generating 22% of GDP. The UK is an energy-rich nation with large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 12% of GDP, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. In mid-1990 the economy fell into recession after eight years of strong economic expansion, which had raised national output by one quarter. Britain's inflation rate, which has been consistently well above those of her major trading partners, declined significantly in 1991. Between 1986 and 1990 unemployment fell from 11% to about 6%, but crept back up to 8% in 1991 because of the economic slowdown. As a major trading nation, the UK will continue to be greatly affected by world boom or recession, swings in the international oil market, productivity trends in domestic industry, and the terms on which the economic integration of Europe proceeds. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $915.5 billion, per capita $15,900; real growth rate -1.9% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.8% (1991) Unemployment rate: 8.1% (1991) Budget: revenues $435 billion; expenditures $469 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92 est.) Exports: $186.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods, transport equipment partners: EC 53.2% (FRG 12.7%, France 10.5%, Netherlands 7.0%), US 12.4% Imports: $211.9 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, semifinished goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods partners: EC 52.2% (FRG 15.6%, France 9.3%, Netherlands 8.4%), US 11.5% External debt: $10.5 billion (1990) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1991) Electricity: 98,000,000 kW capacity; 316,500 million kWh produced, 5,520 kWh per capita (1991) :United Kingdom Economy:United Kingdom Economy Industries: production machinery including machine tools, electric power equipment, equipment for the automation of production, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods Agriculture: accounts for only 1.5% of GDP and 1% of labor force; highly mechanized and efficient farms; wide variety of crops and livestock products produced; about 60% self-sufficient in food and feed needs; fish catch of 665,000 metric tons (1987) Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $21.0 billion Currency: British pound or pound sterling (plural - pounds); 1 British pound (#) = 100 pence Exchange rates: British pounds (#) per US$1 - 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March :United Kingdom Communications:United Kingdom Communications Railroads: Great Britain - 16,629 km total; British Railways (BR) operates 16,629 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge (4,205 km electrified and 12,591 km double or multiple track); several additional small standard-gauge and narrow-gauge lines are privately owned and operated; Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) operates 332 km 1.600-meter gauge, including 190 km double track Highways: UK, 362,982 km total; Great Britain, 339,483 km paved (including 2,573 km limited-access divided highway); Northern Ireland, 23,499 km (22,907 paved, 592 km gravel) Inland waterways: 2,291 total; British Waterways Board, 606 km; Port Authorities, 706 km; other, 979 km Pipelines: crude oil (almost all insignificant) 933 km, petroleum products 2,993 km, natural gas 12,800 km Ports: London, Liverpool, Felixstowe, Tees and Hartlepool, Dover, Sullom Voe, Southampton Merchant marine: 224 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,905,571 GRT/4,840,862 DWT; includes 7 passenger, 21 short-sea passenger, 37 cargo, 27 container, 14 roll-on/roll-off, 10 refrigerated cargo, 1 vehicle carrier, 1 railcar carrier, 66 petroleum tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 1 combination ore/oil, 1 specialized tanker, 26 bulk, 1 combination bulk Civil air: 618 major transport aircraft Airports: 498 total, 385 usable; 249 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 37 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 133 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: technologically advanced domestic and international system; 30,200,000 telephones; equal mix of buried cables, microwave and optical-fiber systems; excellent countrywide broadcast systems; broadcast stations - 225 AM, 525 (mostly repeaters) FM, 207 (3,210 repeaters) TV; 40 coaxial submarine cables; 5 satellite ground stations operating in INTELSAT (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), MARISAT, and EUTELSAT systems; at least 8 large international switching centers :United Kingdom Defense Forces:United Kingdom Defense Forces Branches: Army, Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), Royal Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 14,462,820; 12,122,497 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $42 billion, 4.3% of GDP (FY91) :United States Geography:United States Geography Total area: 9,372,610 km2 Land area: 9,166,600 km2; includes only the 50 states and District of Colombia Comparative area: about three-tenths the size of Russia; about one-third the size of Africa; about one-half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly smaller than China; about two and one-half times the size of Western Europe Land boundaries: 12,248.1 km; Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Mexico 3,326 km, Cuba (US naval base at Guantanamo) 29.1 km Coastline: 19,924 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: not specified Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary disputes with Canada (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca); US Naval Base at Guantanamo is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease; Haiti claims Navassa Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other nation; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island Climate: mostly temperate, but varies from tropical (Hawaii) to arctic (Alaska); arid to semiarid in west with occasional warm, dry chinook wind Terrain: vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii Natural resources: coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, crude oil, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land 20%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 26%; forest and woodland 29%; other 25%; includes irrigated 2% Environment: pollution control measures improving air and water quality; acid rain; agricultural fertilizer and pesticide pollution; management of sparse natural water resources in west; desertification; tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; continuous permafrost in northern Alaska is a major impediment to development Note: world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and China) :United States People:United States People Population: 254,521,000 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 79 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - American(s); adjective - American Ethnic divisions: white 84.1%, black 12.4%, other 3.5% (1989) Religions: Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%, Jewish 2%, other 4%, none 10% (1989) Languages: predominantly English; sizable Spanish-speaking minority Literacy: 98% (male 97%, female 98%) age 25 and over having completed 5 or more years of schooling (1989) Labor force: 126,867,000 (includes armed forces and unemployed); civilian labor force 125,303,000 (1991) Organized labor: 16,568,000 members; 16.1% of total wage and salary employment which was 102,786,000 (1991) :United States Government:United States Government Long-form name: United States of America; abbreviated US or USA Type: federal republic; strong democratic tradition Capital: Washington, DC Administrative divisions: 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Independence: 4 July 1776 (from England) Constitution: 17 September 1787, effective 4 June 1789 Dependent areas: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island; Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Congress consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since 20 January 1989) Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Richard N. BOND, national committee chairman; Jeanie AUSTIN, co-chairman; Democratic Party, Ronald H. BROWN, national committee chairman; several other groups or parties of minor political significance Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 8 November 1988 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - George BUSH (Republican Party) 53.37%, Michael DUKAKIS (Democratic Party) 45.67%, other 0.96% Senate: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - Democratic Party 51%, Republican Party 47%, other 2%; seats - (100 total) Democratic Party 56, Republican Party 44 House of Representatives: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - Democratic Party 52%, Republican Party 44%, other 4%; seats - (435 total) Democratic Party 267, Republican Party 167, Socialist 1 :United States Government:United States Government Communists: Communist Party (claimed 15,000-20,000 members), Gus HALL, general secretary; Socialist Workers Party (claimed 1,800 members), Jack BARNES, national secretary Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), ANZUS, APEC, AsDB, BIS, CCC, COCOM, CP, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, FAO, ESCAP, G-2, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NATO, NEA, OAS, OECD, PCA, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UN Trusteeship Council, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: US Representative to the UN, Ambassador Thomas R. PICKERING; Mission at 799 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 415-4050, after hours (212) 415-4444; FAX (212) 415-4443 Flag: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small white five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico Note: since 18 July 1947, the US has administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently entered into a new political relationship with three of the four political units; the Northern Mariana Islands is a Commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US that was approved by the US Congress but to date the Compact process has not been completed in Palau, which continues to be administered by the US as the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986) :United States Economy:United States Economy Overview: The US has the most powerful, diverse, and technologically advanced economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $22,470, the largest among major industrial nations. The economy is market oriented with most decisions made by private individuals and business firms and with government purchases of goods and services made predominantly in the marketplace. In 1989 the economy enjoyed its seventh successive year of substantial growth, the longest in peacetime history. The expansion featured moderation in wage and consumer price increases and a steady reduction in unemployment to 5.2% of the labor force. In 1990, however, growth slowed to 1% because of a combination of factors, such as the worldwide increase in interest rates, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August, the subsequent spurt in oil prices, and a general decline in business and consumer confidence. In 1991 output failed to recover, unemployment grew, and signs of recovery proved premature. Ongoing problems for the 1990s include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical costs, and sizable budget and trade deficits. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $5,673 billion, per capita $22,470; real growth rate -0.7% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (1991) Unemployment rate: 6.6% (1991) Budget: revenues $1,054 billion; expenditures $1,323 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY91) Exports: $428.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural products partners: Western Europe 27.3%, Canada 22.1%, Japan 12.1% (1989) Imports: $499.4 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: crude and partly refined petroleum, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages partners: Western Europe 21.5%, Japan 19.7%, Canada 18.8% (1989) External debt: NA Industrial production: growth rate -1.9% (1991) Electricity: 776,550,000 kW capacity; 3,020,000 million kWh produced, 12,080 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, fishing, lumber, mining Agriculture: accounts for 2% of GDP and 2.8% of labor force; favorable climate and soils support a wide variety of crops and livestock production; world's second largest producer and number one exporter of grain; surplus food producer; fish catch of 5.0 million metric tons (1988) :United States Economy:United States Economy Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for domestic consumption with 1987 production estimated at 3,500 metric tons or about 25% of the available marijuana; ongoing eradication program aimed at small plots and greenhouses has not reduced production Economic aid: donor - commitments, including ODA and OOF, (FY80-89), $115.7 billion Currency: United States dollar (plural - dollars); 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: British pounds: (#) per US$ - 0.5599 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987) Canadian dollars: (Can$) per US$ - 1.1926 (March 1992), 1.1457 (1991), 1.1668 (1990), 1.1840 (1989), 1.2307 (1988), 1.3260 (1987) French francs: (F) per US$ - 5.6397, (March 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987) Italian lire: (Lit) per US$ - 1,248.4 (March 1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1.372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988), 1,296.1 (1987) Japanese yen: (Y) per US$ - 132.70 (March 1992), 134.71 (1991), 144.79 (1990), 137.96 (1989), 128.15 (1988), 144.64 (1987) German deutsche marks: (DM) per US$ - 1.6611 (March 1992), 1.6595 (1991), 1.6157 (1990), 1.8800 (1989), 1.7562 (1988), 1.7974 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September :United States Communications:United States Communications Railroads: 270,312 km Highways: 6,365,590 km, including 88,641 km expressways Inland waterways: 41,009 km of navigable inland channels, exclusive of the Great Lakes (est.) Pipelines: petroleum 275,800 km, natural gas 305,300 km (1985) Ports: Anchorage, Baltimore, Beaumont, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Cleveland, Duluth, Freeport, Galveston, Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Mobile, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), Richmond (California), San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Wilmington Merchant marine: 396 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,969 GRT/20,179 DWT; includes 3 passenger-cargo, 38 cargo, 25 bulk, 174 tanker, 13 tanker tug-barge, 14 liquefied gas, 129 intermodal; in addition, there are 231 government-owned vessels Civil air: 8,252 commercial multiengine transport aircraft (weighing 9,000 kg and over) including 6,036 jet, 831 turboprop, 1,382 piston (December 1989) Airports: 14,177 total, 12,417 usable; 4,820 with permanent-surface runways; 63 with runways over 3,659 m; 325 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2,524 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 182,558,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 4,892 AM, 5,200 FM (including 3,915 commercial and 1,285 public broadcasting), 7,296 TV (including 796 commercial, 300 public broadcasting, and 6,200 commercial cable); 495,000,000 radio receivers (1982); 150,000,000 TV sets (1982); satellite ground stations - 45 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 16 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT :United States Defense Forces:United States Defense Forces Branches: Department of the Army, Department of the Navy (including Marine Corps), Department of the Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 66,458,000; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $323.5 billion, 5.7% of GNP (1991) :Uruguay Geography:Uruguay Geography Total area: 176,220 km2 Land area: 173,620 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Washington State Land boundaries: 1,564 km total; Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km Coastline: 660 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Territorial sea: 200 nm (overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nm) Disputes: short section of boundary with Argentina is in dispute; two short sections of the boundary with Brazil are in dispute (Arroyo de la Invernada area of the Rio Quarai and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay) Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland Natural resources: soil, hydropower potential, minor minerals Land use: arable land 8%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 78%; forest and woodland 4%; other 10%; includes irrigated 1% Environment: subject to seasonally high winds, droughts, floods :Uruguay People:Uruguay People Population: 3,141,533 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992) Birth rate: 17 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 69 years male, 76 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Uruguayan(s); adjective - Uruguayan Ethnic divisions: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4% Religions: Roman Catholic (less than half adult population attends church regularly) 66%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, nonprofessing or other 30% Languages: Spanish Literacy: 96% (male 97%, female 96%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 1,355,000 (1991 est.); government 25%, manufacturing 19%, agriculture 11%, commerce 12%, utilities, construction, transport, and communications 12%, other services 21% (1988 est.) Organized labor: Interunion Workers' Assembly/National Workers' Confederation (PIT/CNT) Labor Federation :Uruguay Government:Uruguay Government Long-form name: Oriental Republic of Uruguay Type: republic Capital: Montevideo Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres Independence: 25 August 1828 (from Brazil) Constitution: 27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1828) Executive branch: president, vice president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly (Asamblea General) consists of an upper chamber or Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Representatives (Camera de Representantes) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Luis Alberto LACALLE (since 1 March 1990); Vice President Gonzalo AGUIRRE Ramirez (since 1 March 1990) Political parties and leaders: National (Blanco) Party, Carlos CAT; Colorado Party, Jorge BATLLE Ibanez; Broad Front Coalition, Liber SEREGNI Mosquera - includes Communist Party led by Jaime PEREZ and National Liberation Movement (MLN) or Tupamaros led by Eleuterio FERNANDEZ Huidobro; New Space Coalition consists of the Party of the Government of the People (PGP), Hugo BATALLA; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), leader NA; and Civic Union, Humberto CIGANDA Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: President: last held 26 November 1989 (next to be held NA November 1994); results - Luis Alberto LACALLE Herrera (Blanco) 37%, Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (Colorado) 29%, Liber SEREGNI Mosquera (Broad Front) 20% Chamber of Senators: last held 26 November 1989 (next to be held NA November 1994); results - Blanco 40%, Colorado 30%, Broad Front 23% New Space 7%; seats - (30 total) Blanco 12, Colorado 9, Broad Front 7, New Space 2 Chamber of Representatives: last held NA November 1989 (next to be held NA November 1994); results - Blanco 39%, Colorado 30%, Broad Front 22%, New Space 8%, other 1%; seats - (99 total) number of seats by party NA Communists: 50,000 :Uruguay Government:Uruguay Government Member of: AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Eduardo MACGILLICUDDY; Chancery at 1918 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20006; telephone (202) 331-1313 through 1316; there are Uruguayan Consulates General in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, and a Consulate in New Orleans US: Ambassador Richard C. BROWN; Embassy at Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo (mailing address is APO AA 34035); telephone [598] (2) 23-60-61 or 48-77-77; FAX [598] (2) 48-86-11 Flag: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy :Uruguay Economy:Uruguay Economy Overview: The economy is slowly recovering from the deep recession of the early 1980s. In 1988 real GDP grew by only 0.5% and in 1989 by 1.5%. The recovery was led by growth in the agriculture and fishing sectors, agriculture alone contributing 20% to GDP, employing about 11% of the labor force, and generating a large proportion of export earnings. Raising livestock, particularly cattle and sheep, is the major agricultural activity. In 1991, domestic growth improved somewhat over 1990, but various government factors, including concentration on the external sector, adverse weather conditions, and greater attention to bringing down inflation and reducing the fiscal deficit kept output from expanding rapidly. In a major step toward greater regional economic cooperation, Uruguay joined Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay in forming the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur). President LACALLE continues to press ahead with a broad economic reform plan to reduce state intervention in the economy, but he faces strong opposition. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $9.1 billion, per capita $2,935; real growth rate 2.3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 60% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.5% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $1.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $165 million (1988) Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: hides and leather goods 17%, beef 10%, wool 9%, fish 7%, rice 4% partners: Brazil, US, Argentina, Germany Imports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: fuels and lubricants 15%, metals, machinery, transportation equipment, industrial chemicals partners: Brazil 23%, Argentina 17%, US 10%, EC 27.1% (1990) External debt: $4.2 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -1.4% (1990), accounts for almost 25% of GDP Electricity: 2,065,000 kW capacity; 5,677 million kWh produced, 1,819 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: meat processing, wool and hides, sugar, textiles, footwear, leather apparel, tires, cement, fishing, petroleum refining, wine Agriculture: large areas devoted to livestock grazing; wheat, rice, corn, sorghum; self-sufficient in most basic foodstuffs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $105 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $420 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $69 million Currency: new Uruguayan peso (plural - pesos); 1 new Uruguayan peso (N$Ur) = 100 centesimos :Uruguay Economy Exchange rates: new Uruguayan pesos (N$Ur) per US$1 - 2,732.8 (March 1992), 2,018.8 (1991), 1,171.0 (1990), 605.5 (1989), 359.4 (1988), 226.7 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Uruguay Communications:Uruguay Communications Railroads: 3,000 km, all 1.435-meter (standard) gauge and government owned Highways: 49,900 km total; 6,700 km paved, 3,000 km gravel, 40,200 km earth Inland waterways: 1,600 km; used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft Ports: Montevideo, Punta del Este Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 56,737 GRT/104,143 DWT; includes 1 cargo, 1 container, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 11 major transport aircraft Airports: 90 total, 83 usable; 16 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 16 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave network; 337,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 99 AM, no FM, 26 TV, 9 shortwave; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations :Uruguay Defense Forces:Uruguay Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard, and Marines), Air Force, Grenadier Guards, Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 745,728; 605,392 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $168 million, 2.2% of GDP (1988) :Uzbekistan Geography:Uzbekistan Geography Total area: 447,400 km2 Land area: 425,400 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: 6,221 km total; Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km Coastline: 0 km note: Uzbekistan does border the Aral Sea (420 km) Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: none Climate: mostly mid latitude desert; semiarid grassland in east Terrain: mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; Fergana valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigated Environment: drying up of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts Note: landlocked :Uzbekistan People:Uzbekistan People Population: 21,626,784 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992); note - 179,000 persons left Uzbekistan in 1990 Infant mortality rate: 65 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 70 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.2 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Uzbek(s); adjective - Uzbek Ethnic divisions: Uzbek 71%, Russian 8%, Tajik 5%, other 16%; note - includes 70% of Crimean Tatars since their World War II deportation Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunnis) 75-80%, other (includes Farsi) 20-25% Languages: Uzbek 85%, Russian 5%, other 10% Literacy: NA% Labor force: 7,941,000; agriculture and forestry 39%, industry and construction 24%, other 37% (1990) Organized labor: NA :Uzbekistan Government:Uzbekistan Government Long-form name: Republic of Uzbekistan Type: republic Capital: Tashkent (Toshkent) Administrative divisions: 11 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast') and 1 autonomous republic* (avtomnaya respublika); Andizhan, Bukhara, Dzhizak, Fergana, Karakalpakstan* (Nukus), Kashkadar'ya (Karshi), Khorezm (Urgench), Namangan, Samarkand, Surkhandar'ya (Termez), Syrdar'ya (Gulistan), Tashkent; note - an administrative division has the same name as its administrative center (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Independence: 31 August 1991 from the Soviet Union; note - formerly Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic in the Soviet Union Constitution: NA Legal system: NA National holiday: NA Executive branch: president Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Soviet Judicial branch: NA Leaders: Chief of State: President Islam KARIMOV (since 29 December 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdulhashim MUTALOV (since 13 January 1992) Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (formerly Communist Party), Islam KARIMOV, chairman; ERK, Mukhammad SOLIKH, chairman Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 29 December 1991 (next to be held NA December 1996); results - Islam KARIMOV 86%, Mukhammad SOLIKH 12%, other 2% Supreme Soviet: last held NA March 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (500 total) Communist 450, ERK 10, other 40 Communists: NA Other political or pressure groups: Birlik (Unity) Abdurakhim PULATOV, chairman; Islamic Renaissance Party, Abdulljon UTAEV, chairman Member of: CIS, CSCE, IMF, NACC, UN UNCTAD Diplomatic representation: NA US: Charge d'Affaires Michael MOZUR; Embassy at Hotel Uzbekistan, ;55 Chelendarskaya, Tashkent (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone [8] (011) 7-3712-33-15-74 :Uzbekistan Government:Uzbekistan Government Flag: three equal horizontal bands - blue (top), white, and green with a crescent moon and 12 stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant :Uzbekistan Economy:Uzbekistan Economy Overview: Although Uzbekistan accounted for only 3.4% of total Soviet output, it produced two-thirds of the USSR's cotton. Moscow's push for ever-increasing amounts of cotton included massive irrigation projects which caused extensive environmental damage to the Aral Sea and rivers of the republic. Furthermore, the lavish use of chemical fertilizers has caused extensive pollution and widespread health problems. Recently the republic has sought to encourage food production at the expense of cotton. The small industrial sector specializes in such items as agricultural machinery, mineral fertilizers, vegetable oil, and electrical cranes. Uzbekistan also has some important natural resources including gold (about 30% of Soviet production), uranium, and natural gas. The Uzbek government has encouraged land reform but has shied away from other aspects of economic reform. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate -0.9% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 83% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $1.5 billion (1990) commodities: cotton, gold, textiles, chemical and mineral fertilizers, vegetable oil partners: Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe Imports: $3.5 billion (1990) commodities: machinery and parts, consumer durables, grain, other foods partners: principally other former Soviet republics External debt: $2 billion (end of 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.8% (1991) Electricity: 11,400,000 kW capacity; 54,100 million kWh produced, 2,662 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: chemical and mineral fertilizers, vegetable oil, textiles Agriculture: cotton, with much smaller production of grain, fruits, vegetables, and livestock Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; status of government eradication programs unknown; used as transshipment points for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: $NA Currency: as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year :Uzbekistan Communications:Uzbekistan Communications Railroads: 3,460 km all 1.520-meter gauge (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 78,400 km total (1990); 67,000 km hard-surfaced, 11,400 km earth Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: NA Ports: none - landlocked Civil air: NA Airports: NA Telecommunications: poorly developed; telephone density NA; linked by landline or microwave with CIS member states and by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch to other countries; satellite earth stations - Orbita and INTELSAT (TV receive only) :Uzbekistan Defense Forces:Uzbekistan Defense Forces Branches: Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard; CIS Forces (Ground, Air and Air Defense) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service; NA reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Vanuatu Geography:Vanuatu Geography Total area: 14,760 km2 Land area: 14,760 km2; includes more than 80 islands Comparative area: slightly larger than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,528 km Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines) Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops 5%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest and woodland 1%; other 91% Environment: subject to tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes Note: located 5,750 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and Australia :Vanuatu People:Vanuatu People Population: 174,574 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992) Birth rate: 35 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 30 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 72 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural); adjective - Ni-Vanuatu Ethnic divisions: indigenous Melanesian 94%, French 4%, remainder Vietnamese, Chinese, and various Pacific Islanders Religions: Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Catholic 15%, indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other 15.7% Languages: English and French (official); pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) Literacy: 53% (male 57%, female 48%) age 15 and over can read and write (1979) Labor force: NA Organized labor: 7 registered trade unions - largest include Oil and Gas Workers' Union, Vanuatu Airline Workers' Union :Vanuatu Government:Vanuatu Government Long-form name: Republic of Vanuatu Type: republic Capital: Port-Vila Administrative divisions: 11 island councils; Ambrym, Aoba/Maewo, Banks/Torres, Efate, Epi, Malakula, Paama, Pentecote, Santo/Malo, Shepherd, Tafea Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and UK; formerly New Hebrides) Constitution: 30 July 1980 Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French and British systems National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament; note - the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and land Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Frederick TIMAKATA (since 30 January 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Maxime CARLOT (since 16 December 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Sethy REGENVANU (since 17 December 1991) Political parties and leaders: Vanuatu Party (VP), Donald KALPOKAS; Union of Moderate Parties (UMP), Serge VOHOR; Melanesian Progressive Party (MPP), Barak SOPE; National United Party (NUP), Walter LINI; Tan Union Party (TUP), Vincent BOULEKONE; Nagriamel Party, Jimmy STEVENS; Friend Melanesian Party, leader NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Parliament: last held 2 December 1991 (next to be held by November 1995); note - after election, a coalition was formed by the Union of Moderate Parties and the National United Party to form new government on 16 December 1991; seats - (46 total) UMP 19; NUP 10; VP 10; MPP 4; TUP 1; Nagriamel 1; Friend 1 Member of: ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, NAM, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Vanuatu does not have a mission in Washington US: the ambassador in Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green (bottom) with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow :Vanuatu Economy:Vanuatu Economy Overview: The economy is based primarily on subsistence farming which provides a living for about 80% of the population. Fishing and tourism are the other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $142 million, per capita $900 (1988 est.); real growth rate 6% (1990) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $90.0 million; expenditures $103.0 million, including capital expenditures of $45.0 million (1989 est.) Exports: $15.6 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: copra 59%, cocoa 11%, meat 9%, fish 8%, timber 4% partners: Netherlands, Japan, France, New Caledonia, Belgium Imports: $60.4 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.) commodities: machines and vehicles 25%, food and beverages 23%, basic manufactures 18%, raw materials and fuels 11%, chemicals 6% partners: Australia 36%, Japan 13%, NZ 10%, France 8%, Fiji 8% External debt: $30 million (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for about 10% of GDP Electricity: 17,000 kW capacity; 30 million kWh produced, 180 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; export crops - copra, cocoa, coffee, and fish; subsistence crops - copra, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, and vegetables Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $606 million Currency: vatu (plural - vatu); 1 vatu (VT) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: vatu (VT) per US$1 - 112.55 (March 1992), 111.68 (1991), 116.57 (1990), 116.04 (1989), 104.43 (1988), 109.85 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Vanuatu Communications:Vanuatu Communications Railroads: none Highways: 1,027 km total; at least 240 km sealed or all-weather roads Ports: Port-Vila, Luganville, Palikoulo, Santu Merchant marine: 121 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,093,443 GRT/3,168,822 DWT; includes 26 cargo, 14 refrigerated cargo, 5 container, 11 vehicle carrier, 1 livestock carrier, 5 petroleum tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 51 bulk, 1 combination bulk, 1 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger; note - a flag of convenience registry Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 33 total, 31 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, no TV; 3,000 telephones; satellite ground stations - 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT :Vanuatu Defense Forces:Vanuatu Defense Forces Branches: no military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP :Venezuela Geography:Venezuela Geography Total area: 912,050 km2 Land area: 882,050 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: 4,993 km total; Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km Coastline: 2,800 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 15 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo river; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of Venezuela Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Terrain: Andes mountains and Maracaibo lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guyana highlands in southeast Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest and woodland 39%; other 37%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts; increasing industrial pollution in Caracas and Maracaibo Note: on major sea and air routes linking North and South America :Venezuela People:Venezuela People Population: 20,675,970 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 78 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Venezuelan(s); adjective - Venezuelan Ethnic divisions: mestizo 67%, white 21%, black 10%, Indian 2% Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2% Languages: Spanish (official); Indian dialects spoken by about 200,000 Amerindians in the remote interior Literacy: 88% (male 87%, female 90%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.) Labor force: 5,800,000; services 56%, industry 28%, agriculture 16% (1985) Organized labor: 32% of labor force :Venezuela Government:Venezuela Government Long-form name: Republic of Venezuela Type: republic Capital: Caracas Administrative divisions: 21 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 territory* (territorios, singular - territorio), 1 federal district** (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependence*** (dependencia federal); Amazonas*, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales***, Distrito Federal**, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Yaracuy, Zulia; note - the federal dependence consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands Independence: 5 July 1811 (from Spain) Constitution: 23 January 1961 Legal system: based on Napoleonic code; judicial review of legislative acts in Cassation Court only; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1811) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica) consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Carlos Andres PEREZ (since 2 February 1989) Political parties and leaders: Social Christian Party (COPEI), Hilarion CARDOZO, president, and Eduardo FERNANDEZ, secretary general; Democratic Action (AD), Humberto CELLI, president, and Luis ALFARO Ucero, secretary general; Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), Argelia LAYA, president, and Freddy MUNOZ, secretary general Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 4 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results - Carlos Andres PEREZ (AD) 54.6%, Eduardo FERNANDEZ (COPEI) 41.7%, other 3.7% Senate: last held 4 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (49 total) AD 23, COPEI 22, other 4; note - 3 former presidents (1 from AD, 2 from COPEI) hold lifetime senate seats Chamber of Deputies: last held 4 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results - AD 43.7%, COPEI 31.4%, MAS 10.3%, other 14.6%; seats - (201 total) AD 97, COPEI 67, MAS 18, other 19 Communists: 10,000 members (est.) :Venezuela Government:Venezuela Government Other political or pressure groups: FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers, the Democratic Action - dominated labor organization Member of: AG, CDB, CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-11, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Simon Alberto CONSALVI Bottaro; Chancery at 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 342-2214; there are Venezuelan Consulates General in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) US: Ambassador Michael Martin SKOL; Embassy at Avenida Francisco de Miranda and Avenida Principal de la Floresta, Caracas (mailing address is P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A, or APO AA 34037); telephone [58] (2) 285-2222; FAX [58] (2) 285-0336; there is a US Consulate in Maracaibo Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band :Venezuela Economy:Venezuela Economy Overview: Petroleum is the cornerstone of the economy and accounted for 23% of GDP, 80% of central government revenues, and 80% of export earnings in 1991. President PEREZ introduced an economic readjustment program when he assumed office in February 1989. Lower tariffs and price supports, a free market exchange rate, and market-linked interest rates threw the economy into confusion, causing an 8% decline in GDP in 1989. However, the economy recovered part way in 1990, and grew by 9.2% in 1991, led by the petroleum sector. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $52.3 billion, per capita $2,590; real growth rate 9.2% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30.7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.3% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $13.2 billion; expenditures $13.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991) Exports: $15.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: petroleum 80%, bauxite and aluminum, iron ore, agricultural products, basic manufactures partners: US 50.7%, Europe 13.7%, Japan 4.0% (1989) Imports: $10.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, chemicals, manufactures, machinery and transport equipment partners: US 44%, FRG 8.0%, Japan 4%, Italy 7%, Canada 2% (1989) External debt: $30.9 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 5.4% (1991 est.); accounts for one-fourth of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 20,128,000 kW capacity; 55,753 million kWh produced, 2,762 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, iron-ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly Agriculture: accounts for 6% of GDP and 16% of labor force; products - corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee, beef, pork, milk, eggs, fish; not self-sufficient in food other than meat Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis and coca leaf for the international drug trade on a small scale; however, large quantities of cocaine transit the country from Colombia Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-86), $488 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $10 million Currency: bolivar (plural - bolivares); 1 bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: bolivares (Bs) per US$1 - 65.39 (March 1992), 56.82 (1991), 46.90 (1990), 34.68 (1989), 14.50 (fixed rate 1987-88) :Venezuela Economy:Venezuela Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Venezuela Communications:Venezuela Communications Railroads: 542 km total; 363 km 1.435-meter standard gauge all single track, government owned; 179 km 1.435-meter gauge, privately owned Highways: 77,785 km total; 22,780 km paved, 24,720 km gravel, 14,450 km earth roads, and 15,835 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 7,100 km; Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo accept oceangoing vessels Pipelines: crude oil 6,370 km; petroleum products 480 km; natural gas 4,010 km Ports: Amuay Bay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Puerto Ordaz Merchant marine: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 790,108 GRT/1,257,637 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 1 passenger cargo, 22 cargo, 1 container, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 17 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 8 bulk, 1 vehicle carrier, 1 combination bulk Civil air: 56 major transport aircraft Airports: 308 total, 287 usable; 135 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 14 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 88 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: modern and expanding; 1,440,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 181 AM, no FM, 59 TV, 26 shortwave; 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite ground stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 3 domestic :Venezuela Defense Forces:Venezuela Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces (Army), Naval Forces (including Navy, Marines, Coast Guard), Air Forces, Armed Forces of Cooperation (National Guard) Manpower availability: males 15-49, 5,365,880; 3,884,558 fit for military service; 210,737 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.95 billion, 4% of GDP (1991) :Vietnam Geography:Vietnam Geography Total area: 329,560 km2 Land area: 325,360 Comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: 3,818 km total; Cambodia 982 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 1,555 km Coastline: 3,444 km; excludes islands Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary with Cambodia not defined; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei; unresolved maritime boundary with Thailand; maritime boundary dispute with China in the Gulf of Tonkin; Paracel Islands occupied by China but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan Climate: tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (mid-May to mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March) Terrain: low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil deposits, forests Land use: arable land 22%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 40%; other 35%; includes irrigated 5% Environment: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding :Vietnam People:Vietnam People Population: 68,964,018 (July 1992), growth rate 2.0% (1992) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -1 migrant/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 47 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 67 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Vietnamese (singular and plural); adjective - Vietnamese Ethnic divisions: predominantly Vietnamese 85-90%; Chinese 3%; ethnic minorities include Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham; other mountain tribes Religions: Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs, Islamic, Protestant Languages: Vietnamese (official), French, Chinese, English, Khmer, tribal languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Literacy: 88% (male 92%, female 84%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 32.7 million; agricultural 65%, industrial and service 35% (1990 est.) Organized labor: reportedly over 90% of wage and salary earners are members of the Vietnam Federation of Trade Unions (VFTU) :Vietnam Government:Vietnam Government Long-form name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam; abbreviated SRV Type: Communist state Capital: Hanoi Administrative divisions: 50 provinces (tinh, singular and plural), 3 municipalities* (thanh pho, singular and plural); An Giang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Bac Thai, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Can Tho, Cao Bang, Dac Las, Dong Nai, Dong Tay, Gia Lai, Ha Bac, Ha Giang, Ha Noi*, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hai Hung, Hai Phong*, Ho Chi Minh*, Hoa Binh, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Minh Hai, Nam Ha, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam-Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Song Be, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phu, Yen Bai; note - diacritical marks are not included Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France) Constitution: 18 December 1980; new Constitution to be approved Spring 1992 Legal system: based on Communist legal theory and French civil law system National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945) Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Quoc-Hoi) Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Vo Chi CONG (since 18 June 1987) Head of Government: Prime Minister Vo Van KIET (since 9 August 1991); Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 10 August 1991) Political parties and leaders: only party - Vietnam Communist Party (VCP), DO MUOI Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Assembly: last held 19 April 1987 (next to be held 19 July 1992); results - VCP is the only party; seats - (496 total) VCP or VCP-approved 496; note - number of seats under new government 395 Communists: nearly 2 million Member of: ACCT, AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBEC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IIB, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: none Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center :Vietnam Economy:Vietnam Economy Overview: This is a formerly centrally planned, developing economy with extensive government ownership and control of productive facilities. The economy is primarily agricultural; the sector employs about 70% of the labor force and accounts for half of GNP. Rice is the staple crop; substantial amounts of maize, sorghum, cassava, and sweet potatoes are also grown. The government permits sale of surplus grain on the open market. Most of the mineral resources are located in the north, including coal, which is an important export item. Oil was discovered off the southern coast in 1986 with production reaching 70,000 barrels per day in 1991 and expected to increase in the years ahead. Following the end of the war in 1975, heavy-handed government measures undermined efforts at an efficient merger of the agricultural resources of the south and the industrial resources of the north. The economy remains heavily dependent on foreign aid and has received assistance from UN agencies, France, Australia, Sweden, and Communist countries. Inflation, although down from recent triple-digit levels, is still a major weakness and is showing signs of accelerating upwards again. Per capita output is among the world's lowest. Since late 1986 the government has sponsored a broad reform program that seeks to turn more economic activity over to the private sector. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $15 billion, per capita $220; real growth rate 2.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 80% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $551 million; expenditures $830 million, including capital expenditures of $58 million (1990) Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: agricultural and handicraft products, coal, minerals, crude petroleum, ores, seafood partners: Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Eastern Europe, USSR Imports: $1.9 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: petroleum products, steel products, railroad equipment, chemicals, medicines, raw cotton, fertilizer, grain partners: Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Eastern Europe, USSR External debt: $16.8 billion (1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -3.6% (1989); accounts for 30% of GNP Electricity: 3,300,000 kW capacity; 9,200 million kWh produced, 140 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: food processing, textiles, machine building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, fishing Agriculture: accounts for half of GNP; paddy rice, corn, potatoes make up 50% of farm output; commercial crops (rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas) and animal products other 50%; since 1989 self-sufficient in food staple rice; fish catch of 943,100 metric tons (1989 est.) :Vietnam Economy:Vietnam Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-74), $3.1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $61 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $12.0 billion Currency: new dong (plural - new dong); 1 new dong (D) = 100 xu Exchange rates: new dong (D) per US$1 - 11,100 (May 1992), 8,100 (July 1991), 7,280 (December 1990), 3,996 (March 1990), 2,047 (1988), 225 (1987); note - 1985-89 figures are end of year Fiscal year: calendar year :Vietnam Communications:Vietnam Communications Railroads: 3,059 km total; 2,454 1.000-meter gauge, 151 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge, 230 km dual gauge (three rails), and 224 km not restored to service after war damage Highways: about 85,000 km total; 9,400 km paved, 48,700 km gravel or improved earth, 26,900 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: about 17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at all times by vessels up to 1.8 meter draft Pipelines: petroleum products 150 km Ports: Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City Merchant marine: 89 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 400,430 GRT/643,877 DWT; includes 73 cargo 4 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 8 petroleum tanker, 3 bulk; note - Vietnam owns 11 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 134,719 DWT under the registries of Panama and Malta Civil air: controlled by military Airports: 100 total, 100 usable; 50 with permanent-surface runways; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 20 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 25 telephones per 10,000 persons (1991); broadcast stations - 16 AM, 1 FM, 2 TV; 2,300,000 TV sets; 6,000,000 radio receivers; 3 satellite earth stations :Vietnam Defense Forces:Vietnam Defense Forces Branches: Ground, Navy (including Naval Infantry), Air Force Manpower availability: males 15-49, 16,839,400; 10,739,128 fit for military service; 787,026 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GNP :Virgin Islands Geography:Virgin Islands Geography Total area: 352 km2 Land area: 349 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 188 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly tradewinds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf Land use: arable land 15%; permanent crops 6%; meadows and pastures 26%; forest and woodland 6%; other 47% Environment: rarely affected by hurricanes; subject to frequent severe droughts, floods, earthquakes; lack of natural freshwater resources Note: important location 1,770 km southeast of Miami and 65 km east of Puerto Rico, along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean :Virgin Islands People:Virgin Islands People Population: 98,942 (July 1992), growth rate -1.0% (1992) Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -26 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 13 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 77 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Virgin Islander(s); adjective - Virgin Islander; US citizens Ethnic divisions: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%, other 8%; black 80%, white 15%, other 5%; Hispanic origin 14% Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Languages: English (official), but Spanish and Creole are widely spoken Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 45,500 (1988) Organized labor: 90% of the government labor force :Virgin Islands Government:Virgin Islands Government Long-form name: Virgin Islands of the United States Type: organized, unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior Capital: Charlotte Amalie Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US) Independence: none (territory of the US) Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 Legal system: based on US National holiday: Transfer Day (from Denmark to US), 31 March (1917) Executive branch: US president, popularly elected governor and lieutenant governor Legislative branch: unicameral Senate Judicial branch: US District Court handles civil matters over $50,000, felonies (persons 15 years of age and over), and federal cases; Territorial Court handles civil matters up to $50,000 small claims, juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); Governor Alexander A. FARRELLY (since 5 January 1987); Lieutenant Governor Derek M. HODGE (since 5 January 1987) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Governor: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - Governor Alexander FARRELLY (Democratic Party) 56.5% defeated Juan LUIS (independent) 38.5% Senate: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) number of seats by party NA US House of Representatives: last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held 3 November 1992); results - Ron DE LUGO reelected as nonvoting delegate seats - (1 total); seat by party NA; note - the Virgin Islands elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives Member of: ECLAC (associate), IOC, applied for associate membership in OECS in February 1990 Diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US) Flag: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel :Virgin Islands Economy:Virgin Islands Economy Overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The manufacturing sector consists of textile, electronics, pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agricultural sector is small, most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. The world's largest petroleum refinery is at Saint Croix. GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $1.2 billion, per capita $11,000; real growth rate NA% (1987) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 2.0% (1990) Budget: revenues $364.4 million; expenditures $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90) Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: refined petroleum products partners: US, Puerto Rico Imports: $3.7 billion (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials partners: US, Puerto Rico External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 12% Electricity: 358,000 kW capacity; 532 million kWh produced, 5,360 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics Agriculture: truck gardens, food crops (small scale), fruit, sorghum, Senepol cattle Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $42 million Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September :Virgin Islands Communications:Virgin Islands Communications Highways: 856 km total Ports: Saint Croix - Christiansted, Frederiksted; Saint Thomas - Long Bay, Crown Bay, Red Hook; Saint John - Cruz Bay Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m; international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix Telecommunications: 44,280 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 8 FM, 4 TV; modern system using fiber-optic cable, submarine cable, microwave radio, and satellite facilities; 98,000 radios; 63,000 TV (1988) :Virgin Islands Defense Forces:Virgin Islands Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Wake Island Geography:Wake Island Geography Total area: 6.5 km2 Land area: 6.5 km2 Comparative area: about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 19.3 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claimed by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Climate: tropical Terrain: atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim; average elevation less than four meters Natural resources: none Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: subject to occasional typhoons Note: strategic location 3,700 km west of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and the Northern Mariana Islands; emergency landing location for transpacific flights :Wake Island People:Wake Island People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; 381 temporary population (US Air Force personnel, civilian weather service personnel, and US and Thai contractors) (January 1992); note - population peaked about 1970 with over 1,600 persons during the Vietnam conflict :Wake Island Government:Wake Island Government Long-form name: none Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Air Force (under an agreement with the US Department of Interior) since 24 June 1972 Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Flag: the US flag is used :Wake Island Economy:Wake Island 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 US military :Wake Island Communications:Wake Island Communications Ports: none; because of the reefs, there are only two offshore anchorages for large ships Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: underwater cables to Guam and through Midway to Honolulu; 1 Autovon circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS); Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio and television service provided by satellite; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV Note: formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used only by US military and some commercial cargo planes :Wake Island Defense Forces:Wake Island Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US :Wallis and Futuna Geography:Wallis and Futuna Geography Total area: 274 km2 Land area: 274 km2; includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets Comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 129 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October) Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land 5%; permanent crops 20%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 75% Environment: both island groups have fringing reefs Note: located 4,600 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand :Wallis and Futuna People:Wallis and Futuna People Population: 17,095 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 8 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 29 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.6 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders; adjective - Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander Ethnic divisions: almost entirely Polynesian Religions: largely Roman Catholic Languages: French, Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) Literacy: 50% (male 50%, female 51%) at all ages can read and write (1969) Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA :Wallis and Futuna Government:Wallis and Futuna Government Long-form name: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands Type: overseas territory of France Capital: Mata Utu (on Ile Uvea) Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France) Independence: none (overseas territory of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: French president, chief administrator; note - there are three traditional kings with limited powers Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly (Assemblee Territoriale) Judicial branch: none; justice generally administered under French law by the chief administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata Utu Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Chief Administrator Robert POMMIES (since 26 September 1990) Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR); Union Populaire Locale (UPL); Union Pour la Democratie Francaise (UDF); Lua kae tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche (MRG) Suffrage: universal adult at age 18 Elections: Territorial Assembly: last held 15 March 1987 (next to be held NA March 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (20 total) RPR 7, UPL 5, UDF 4, UNF 4 French Senate: last held NA September 1989 (next to be held by NA September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPR 1 French National Assembly: last held 12 June 1988 (next to be held by NA September 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MRG 1 Member of: FZ, SPC Diplomatic representation: as an overseas territory of France, local interests are represented in the US by France Flag: the flag of France is used :Wallis and Futuna Economy:Wallis and Futuna Economy Overview: The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of the labor force earning its livelihood from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. Wallis and Futuna imports food, fuel, clothing, machinery, and transport equipment, but its exports are negligible, consisting of copra and handicrafts. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $25 million, per capita $1,500; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $2.7 million; expenditures $2.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1983) Exports: negligible commodities: copra, handicrafts partners: NA Imports: $13.3 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transportation equipment, fuel partners: France, Australia, New Zealand External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 1,200 kW capacity; 1 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber Agriculture: dominated by coconut production, with subsistence crops of yams, taro, bananas, and herds of pigs and goats Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $118 million Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural - francs); 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 102.53 (March 1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.0 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27 (1987); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: NA :Wallis and Futuna Communications:Wallis and Futuna Communications Highways: 100 km on Ile Uvea, 16 km sealed; 20 km earth surface on Ile Futuna Inland waterways: none Ports: Mata-Utu, Leava Airports: 2 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 225 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV :Wallis and Futuna Defense Forces:Wallis and Futuna Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France :West Bank Header:West Bank Header Note: The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. As stated in the 1978 Camp David Accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post-Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. Camp David further specifies that these negotiations will resolve the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has yet to be determined. In the view of the US, the term West Bank describes all of the area west of the Jordan River under Jordanian administration before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. However, with respect to negotiations envisaged in the framework agreement, it is US policy that a distinction must be made between Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because of the city's special status and circumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for the final status of Jerusalem could be different in character from that of the rest of the West Bank. :West Bank Geography:West Bank Geography Total area: 5,860 km2 Land area: 5,640 km2; includes West Bank, East Jerusalem, Latrun Salient, Jerusalem No Man's Land, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus Comparative area: slightly larger than Delaware Land boundaries: 404 km total; Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: Israeli occupied with status to be determined Climate: temperate, temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters Terrain: mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land 27%, permanent crops 0%, meadows and pastures 32%, forest and woodland 1%, other 40% Environment: highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers Note: landlocked; there are 175 Jewish settlements in the West Bank and 14 Israeli-built Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem :West Bank People:West Bank People Population: 1,362,464 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992); in addition, there are 95,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank and 132,000 in East Jerusalem (1992 est.) Birth rate: 35 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 37 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 71 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.5 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: NA Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 88%, Jewish 12% Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 80%, Jewish 12%, Christian and other 8% Languages: Arabic, Israeli settlers speak Hebrew, English widely understood Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA; excluding Israeli Jewish settlers - small industry, commerce, and business 29.8%, construction 24.2%, agriculture 22.4%, service and other 23.6% (1984) Organized labor: NA :West Bank Government:West Bank Government Long-form name: none Note: The West Bank is currently governed by Israeli military authorities and Israeli civil administration. It is US policy that the final status of the West Bank will be determined by negotiations among the concerned parties. These negotiations will determine how the area is to governed. :West Bank Economy:West Bank Economy Overview: Economic progress in the West Bank has been hampered by Israeli military administration and the effects of the Palestinian uprising (intifadah). Industries using advanced technology or requiring sizable investment have been discouraged by a lack of local capital and restrictive Israeli policies. Capital investment consists largely of residential housing, not productive assets that would enable local firms to compete with Israeli industry. A major share of GNP is derived from remittances of workers employed in Israel and Persian Gulf states, but such transfers from the Gulf dropped dramatically after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. In the wake of the Persian Gulf crisis, many Palestinians have returned to the West Bank, increasing unemployment, and export revenues have plunged because of the loss of markets in Jordan and the Gulf states. Israeli measures to curtail the intifadah also have pushed unemployment up and lowered living standards. The area's economic outlook remains bleak. GNP: exchange rate conversion - $1.3 billion, per capita $1,200; real growth rate -10% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues $31.0 million; expenditures $36.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY88) Exports: $150 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.) commodities: NA partners: Jordan, Israel Imports: $410 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.) commodities: NA partners: Jordan, Israel External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 1% (1989); accounts for about 4% of GNP Electricity: power supplied by Israel Industries: generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers Agriculture: accounts for about 15% of GNP; olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables, beef, and dairy products Economic aid: NA Currency: new Israeli shekel (plural - shekels) and Jordanian dinar (plural - dinars); 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot and 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils :West Bank Economy:West Bank Economy Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.4019 (March 1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987); Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.6760 (January 1992), 0.6810 (1991), 0.6636 (1990), 0.5704 (1989), 0.3709 (1988), 0.3387 (1987) Fiscal year: previously 1 April - 31 March; FY91 was 1 April - 31 December, and since 1 January 1992 the fiscal year has conformed to the calendar year :West Bank Communications:West Bank Communications Highways: small road network, Israelis developing east-west axial highways to service new settlements Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: open-wire telephone system currently being upgraded; broadcast stations - no AM, no FM, no TV :West Bank Defense Forces:West Bank Defense Forces Branches: NA Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Western Sahara Geography:Western Sahara Geography Total area: 266,000 km2 Land area: 266,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Colorado Land boundaries: 2,046 km total; Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km Coastline: 1,110 km Maritime claims: contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue Disputes: claimed and administered by Morocco, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been currently in effect since September 1991 Climate: hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore currents produce fog and heavy dew Terrain: mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore Land use: arable land NEGL%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 19%; forest and woodland 0%; other 81% Environment: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility; sparse water and arable land :Western Sahara People:Western Sahara People Population: 201,467 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992) Birth rate: 48 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 20 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 159 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 43 years male, 45 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s); adjective - Sahrawian, Sahraouian Ethnic divisions: Arab and Berber Religions: Muslim Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: 12,000; 50% animal husbandry and subsistence farming Organized labor: NA :Western Sahara Government:Western Sahara Government Long-form name: none Type: legal status of territory and question of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government in exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR); territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government in exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991 Capital: none Administrative divisions: none (under de facto control of Morocco) Leaders: none Member of: none Diplomatic representation: none :Western Sahara Economy:Western Sahara Economy Overview: Western Sahara, a territory poor in natural resources and having little rainfall, has a per capita GDP of roughly $300. Pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining are the principal sources of income for the population. Most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. GDP: $60 million, per capita $300; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $8 million (f.o.b., 1982 est.) commodities: phosphates 62% partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts Imports: $30 million (c.i.f., 1982 est.) commodities: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 60,000 kW capacity; 79 million kWh produced, 425 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: phosphate, fishing, handicrafts Agriculture: limited largely to subsistence agriculture; some barley is grown in nondrought years; fruit and vegetables are grown in the few oases; food imports are essential; camels, sheep, and goats are kept by the nomadic natives; cash economy exists largely for the garrison forces Economic aid: NA Currency: Moroccan dirham (plural - dirhams); 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 8.889 (March 1992), 8.071 (1991), 8.242 (1990), 8.488 (1989), 8.209 (1988), 8.359 (1987) Fiscal year: NA :Western Sahara Communications:Western Sahara Communications Highways: 6,200 km total; 1,450 km surfaced, 4,750 km improved and unimproved earth roads and tracks Ports: El Aaiun, Ad Dakhla Airports: 13 total, 13 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: sparse and limited system; tied into Morocco's system by microwave, tropospheric scatter, and 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations linked to Rabat, Morocco; 2,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 2 TV :Western Sahara Defense Forces:Western Sahara Defense Forces Branches: NA Manpower availability: NA Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Western Samoa Geography:Western Samoa Geography Total area: 2,860 km2 Land area: 2,850 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: none Coastline: 403 km Maritime claims: Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: none Climate: tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October) Terrain: narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish Land use: arable land 19%; permanent crops 24%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 47%; other 10% Environment: subject to occasional typhoons; active volcanism Note: located 4,300 km southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand :Western Samoa People:Western Samoa People Population: 194,992 (July 1992), growth rate 2.4% (1992) Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -4 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 40 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 70 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 4.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Western Samoan(s); adjective - Western Samoan Ethnic divisions: Samoan; Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood) about 7%, Europeans 0.4% Religions: Christian 99.7% (about half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist) Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English Literacy: 97% (male 97%, female 97%) age 15 and over can read and write (1971) Labor force: 38,000; 22,000 employed in agriculture (1987 est.) Organized labor: Public Service Association (PSA) :Western Samoa Government:Western Samoa Government Long-form name: Independent State of Western Samoa Type: constitutional monarchy under native chief Capital: Apia Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A`ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa`asaleleaga, Gaga`emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa`itea, Tuamasaga, Va`a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano Independence: 1 January 1962 (from UN trusteeship administered by New Zealand) Constitution: 1 January 1962 Legal system: based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 1 June Executive branch: chief, Executive Council, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono) Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: Chief Susuga Malietoa TANUMAFILI II (Co-Chief of State from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole Chief of State on 5 April 1963) Head of Government: Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana (since 7 April 1988) Political parties and leaders: Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), TOFILAU Eti, chairman; Samoan National Development Party (SNDP), VA'AI Kolone, chairman Suffrage: universal adult over age 21, but only matai (head of family) are able to run for the Legislative Assembly Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held NA February 1991 (next to be held by NA February 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) HRPP 30, SNDP 14, independents 3 Member of: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IOC, ITU, LORCS, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Fili (Felix) Tuaopepe WENDT; Chancery (temporary) at suite 510, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005; telephone (202) 833-1743 US: the ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Western Samoa (mailing address is P.O. Box 3430, Apia); telephone (685) 21-631; FAX (685) 22-030 Flag: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation :Western Samoa Economy:Western Samoa Economy Overview: Agriculture employs more than half of the labor force, contributes 50% to GDP, and furnishes 90% of exports. The bulk of export earnings comes from the sale of coconut oil and copra. The economy depends on emigrant remittances and foreign aid to support a level of imports several times export earnings. Tourism has become the most important growth industry, and construction of the first international hotel is under way. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $115 million, per capita $690 (1989); real growth rate -4.5% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1990) Unemployment rate: NA%; shortage of skilled labor Budget: revenues $95.3 million; expenditures $95.4 million, including capital expenditures of $41 million (FY92) Exports: $9 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: coconut oil and cream 54%, taro 12%, copra 9%, cocoa 3% partners: NZ 28%, American Samoa 23%, Germany 22%, US 6% (1990) Imports: $75 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: intermediate goods 58%, food 17%, capital goods 12% partners: New Zealand 41%, Australia 18%, Japan 13%, UK 6%, US 6% External debt: $83 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -4% (1990 est.); accounts for 14% of GDP Electricity: 29,000 kW capacity; 45 million kWh produced, 240 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: timber, tourism, food processing, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; coconuts, fruit (including bananas, taro, yams) Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $18 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $306 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4 million Currency: tala (plural - tala); 1 tala (WS$) = 100 sene Exchange rates: tala (WS$) per US$1 - 2,4284 (March 1992), 2,3975 (1991), 2.3095 (1990), 2.2686 (1989), 2.0790 (1988), 2.1204 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Western Samoa Communications:Western Samoa Communications Highways: 2,042 km total; 375 km sealed; remainder mostly gravel, crushed stone, or earth Ports: Apia Merchant marine: 1 roll-on/roll-off ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,838 GRT/5,536 DWT Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 3 total, 3 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 7,500 telephones; 70,000 radios; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT ground station :Western Samoa Defense Forces:Western Samoa Defense Forces Branches: Department of Police and Prisons Manpower availability: males 15-49, NA; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :World Geography:World Geography Total area: 510,072,000 km2 Land area: 148,940,000 km2 (29.2%) Comparative area: land area about 16 times the size of the US Land boundaries: 442,000 km Coastline: 356,000 km Maritime claims: range from 3 to 200 nm; 1 claim is rectangular; 112 states claim a 12 nm limit; note - boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nm; 41 nations and other areas are landlocked and include Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe Contiguous zone: 39 states claim contiguous zone, 33 of which have 24 nm limits Continental shelf: approximately 78 states have specific continental shelf claims, the limit of 42 claims is based on depth (200 m) plus exploitability, 21 claims define the continental shelf as 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Exclusive fishing zone: 23 claims with limits ranging from 12 nm to 200 nm Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 83 states claim an EEZ, with most limits being 200 nm Territorial sea: claims range from 3 to 200 nm, 112 states claim a 12 nm limit; note - 41 nations and miscellaneous areas are landlocked and comprise Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Byelarus, Central African Republic, Chad, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macebia, Zimbabwe Disputes: major international land boundary or territorial diputes - Bahrain-Qatar, Chad-Libya, China-India, China-Russia, Ecuador-Peru, El Salvador-Honduras, Israel-Jordan, Israel-Syria, Japan-Russia, North Korea-South Korea, Saudi Arabia-Yemen, South China Sea Climate: two large areas of polar climates separated by two rather narrow temperate zones from a wide equatorial band of tropical to subtropical climates Terrain: highest elevation is Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters and lowest depression is the Dead Sea at 392 meters below sea level; greatest ocean depth is the Marianas Trench at 10,924 meters Natural resources: the rapid using up of nonrenewable mineral resources, the depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality (especially in Eastern Europe and the former USSR) pose serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only beginning to address Land use: arable land 10%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 24%; forest and woodland 31%; other 34%; includes irrigated 1.6% :World Geography:World Geography Environment: large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions), overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife resources, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion :World People:World People Population: 5,515,617,484 (July 1992), growth rate 1.7% (1992) Birth rate: 26 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 63 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 61 years male, 65 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 3.3 children born/woman (1992) Literacy: 74% (male 81%, female 67%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2.24 billion (1992) Organized labor: NA :World Government:World Government Administrative divisions: 187 sovereign nations plus 72 dependent, other, and miscellaneous areas Legal system: varies by individual country; 182 are parties to the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ or World Court) Diplomatic representation: there are 178 members of the UN :World Economy:World Economy Overview: Aggregate world output in 1991 increased by 1.3%, in contrast to estimated 2% growth in 1990 and 3% growth in 1989. In 1991, the developed countries grew by 2.5% and the LDCs by 3.5%, these gains being offset by a 10-15% drop in the former Communist-dominated areas of the USSR and Eastern Europe. As usual, results among individual countries differed widely. In the developed group, Japan led with 4.5%, the West European members averaged 1.2%, and the recession-plagued United States lagged,with GDP down 0.7%. As for the 15 former Soviet republics and the seven nations of Eastern Europe, output plummeted in many economic sectors because of fundamental changes in the rules of the game and in the channels of production and exchange. China and the Four Dragons performed well in 1991 but many of the other developing countries are mired in poverty and political instability. For the world as a whole, the addition of nearly 100 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe will exacerbate the problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. GWP (gross world product): purchasing power equivalent - $25 trillion, per capita $4,600; real growth rate 1.3% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): developed countries 5%; developing countries 50%, with wide variations (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Exports: $3.34 trillion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services partners: in value, about 75% of exports from developed countries Imports: $3.49 trillion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services partners: in value, about 75% of imports by the developed countries External debt: $1.0 trillion for less developed countries (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3% (1990 est.) Electricity: 2,864,000,000 kW capacity; 11,450,000 million kWh produced, 2,150 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: industry worldwide is dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in computers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical equipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a small portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to these technological forces, and the technological gap between the industrial nations and the less-developed countries continues to widen; the rapid development of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already grim environmental problems :World Economy:World Economy Agriculture: the production of major food crops has increased substantially in the last 20 years. The annual production of cereals, for instance, has risen by 50%, from about 1.2 billion metric tons to about 1.8 billion metric tons; production increases have resulted mainly from increased yields rather than increases in planted areas; while global production is sufficient for aggregate demand, about one-fifth of the world's population remains malnourished, primarily because local production cannot adequately provide for large and rapidly growing populations, which are too poor to pay for food imports; conditions are especially bad in Africa where drought in recent years has exacerbated the consequences of all other factors Economic aid: NA :World Communications:World Communications Railroads: 239,430 km of narrow gauge track; 710,754 km of standard gauge track; 251,153 km of broad gauge track; includes about 190,000 to 195,000 km of electrified routes of which 147,760 km are in Europe, 24,509 km in the Far East, 11,050 km in Africa, 4,223 km in South America, and only 4,160 km in North America; fastest speed in daily service is 300 km/hr attained by France's SNCF TGV-Atlantique line Ports: Mina al Ahmadi (Kuwait), Chiba, Houston, Kawasaki, Kobe, Marseille, New Orleans, New York, Rotterdam, Yokohama Merchant marine: 23,596 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 386,736,000 GRT/637,493,000 DWT; includes 348 passenger-cargo, 12,441 freighters, 5,446 bulk carriers, and 5,361 tankers (January 1991) Civil air: 14,500-16,000 major transport aircraft with gross take-off weight of 9,000 kg (20,000 lbs) or more (1992 est.) :World Defense Forces:World Defense Forces Branches: ground, maritime, and air forces at all levels of technology Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,400,000,000; NA fit for military service Defense expenditures: $1.0 trillion, 4% of total world output; decline of 5-10% (1991 est.) :Yemen Geography:Yemen Geography Total area: 527,970 km2 Land area: 527,970 km2; includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen) Comparative area: slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming Land boundaries: 1,746 km total; Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km Coastline: 1,906 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: North - 18 nm; South - 24 nm Continental shelf: North - 200 meters (depth); South - edge of continental margin or 200 nm Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: undefined section of boundary with Saudi Arabia; Administrative Line with Oman; there is a proposed treaty with Oman (which has not yet been formerly accepted) to settle the Yemeni-Omani boundary Climate: mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east Terrain: narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula Natural resources: crude oil, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper; fertile soil in west Land use: arable land 6%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 30%; forest and woodland 7%; other 57%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: subject to sand and dust storms in summer; scarcity of natural freshwater resources; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: controls Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes :Yemen People:Yemen People Population: 10,394,749 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992) Birth rate: 51 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 118 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 49 years male, 52 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 7.3 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Yemeni(s); adjective - Yemeni Ethnic divisions: North - Arab 90%, Afro-Arab (mixed) 10%; South - almost all Arabs; a few Indians, Somalis, and Europeans Religions: North - Muslim almost 100% (45% Sunni and 55% Zaydi Shi`a); NEGL Jewish; South - Sunni Muslim, some Christian and Hindu Languages: Arabic Literacy: 38% (male 53%, female 26%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: North - NA number of workers with agriculture and herding 70%, and expatriate laborers 30% (est.); South - 477,000 with agriculture 45.2%, services 21.2%, construction 13.4%, industry 10.6%, commerce and other 9.6% (1983) Organized labor: North - NA; South - 348,200 and the General Confederation of Workers of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen had 35,000 members :Yemen Government:Yemen Government Long-form name: Republic of Yemen Type: republic Capital: Sanaa Administrative divisions: 17 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, `Adan, Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Sa`dah, San`a', Shabwah, Ta`izz Independence: Republic of Yemen was established on 22 May 1990 with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic {Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen} and the Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen {Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen}; previously North Yemen had become independent on NA November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK); the union is to be solidified during a 30-month transition period, which coincides with the remainder of the five-year terms of both legislatures Constitution: 16 April 1991 Legal system: based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic, 22 May (1990) Executive branch: five-member Presidential Council (president, vice president, two members from northern Yemen and one member from southern Yemen), prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives Judicial branch: North - State Security Court; South - Federal High Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President `Ali `Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen); Vice President Ali Salim al-BIDH (since 22 May 1990, and Secretary General of the Yemeni Socialist Party); Presidential Council Member Salim Salih MUHAMMED; Presidential Council Member Kadi Abdul-Karim al-ARASHI; Presidential Council Member Abdul-Aziz ABDUL-GHANI; Prime Minister Haydar Abu Bakr al-`ATTAS (since 22 May 1990, former president of South Yemen) Political parties and leaders: General People's Congress, `Ali `Abdallah SALIH; Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP; formerly South Yemen's ruling party - a coalition of National Front, Ba`th, and Communist Parties), Ali Salim al-BIDH; Yemen Grouping for Reform or Islaah, Abdallah Husayn AHMAR Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives: last held NA (next to be held NA November 1992); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (301); number of seats by party NA; note - the 301 members of the new House of Representatives come from North Yemen's Consultative Assembly (159 members), South Yemen's Supreme People's Council (111 members), and appointments by the New Presidential Council (31 members) Communists: small number in North, greater but unknown number in South :Yemen Government:Yemen Government Other political or pressure groups: conservative tribal groups, Muslim Brotherhood, leftist factions - pro-Iraqi Ba`thists, Nasirists, National Democratic Front (NDF) Member of: ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Muhsin Ahmad al-AYNI; Chancery at Suite 840, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 965-4760 or 4761; there is a Yemeni Consulate General in Detroit and a Consulate in San Francisco US: Ambassador Arthur H. HUGHES; Embassy at Dhahr Himyar Zone, Sheraton Hotel District, Sanaa (mailing address is P. O. Box 22347 Sanaa, Republic of Yemen or Sanaa - Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-6330); telephone [967] (2) 238-842 through 238-852; FAX [967] (2) 251-563 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; similar to the flag of Syria which has two green stars and of Iraq which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band :Yemen Economy:Yemen Economy Overview: Whereas the northern city Sanaa is the political capital of a united Yemen, the southern city Aden, with its refinery and port facilities, is the economic and commercial capital. Future economic development depends heavily on Western-assisted development of promising oil resources. South Yemen's willingness to merge stemmed partly from the steady decline in Soviet economic support. Overview: North: The low level of domestic industry and agriculture have made northern Yemen dependent on imports for virtually all of its essential needs. Large trade deficits have been made up for by remittances from Yemenis working abroad and foreign aid. Once self-sufficient in food production, northern Yemen has become a major importer. Land once used for export crops - cotton, fruit, and vegetables - has been turned over to growing qat, a mildly narcotic shrub chewed by Yemenis which has no significant export market. Oil export revenues started flowing in late 1987 and boosted 1988 earnings by about $800 million. South: This has been one of the poorest Arab countries, with a per capita GNP of about $500. A shortage of natural resources, a widely dispersed population, and an arid climate have made economic development difficult. The economy has grown at an average annual rate of only 2-3% since the mid-1970s. The economy had been organized along socialist lines, dominated by the public sector. Economic growth has been constrained by a lack of incentives, partly stemming from centralized control over production decisions, investment allocation, and import choices. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $5.3 billion, per capita $545; real growth rate NA% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): North: 16.9% (1988) South: 0% (1989) Unemployment rate: North: 13% (1986) South: NA% Budget: North: revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $590 million (1988 est.) South: revenues and grants $435 million; expenditures $1.0 billion, including capital expenditure of $460 million (1988 est.) Exports: North: $606 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: crude oil, cotton, coffee, hides, vegetables partners: FRG 29%, US 26%, Netherlands 12% South: $113.8 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: cotton, hides, skins, dried and salted fish :Yemen Economy:Yemen Economy partners: Japan, North Yemen, Italy Imports: North: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1988) Imports: commodities: textiles and other manufactured consumer goods, petroleum products, sugar, grain, flour, other foodstuffs, and cement partners: Saudi Arabia 12%, France 6%, US 5%, Australia 5% (1985) South: $553.9 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: grain, consumer goods, crude oil, machinery, chemicals partners: USSR, UK, Ethiopia External debt: $5.75 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: North: growth rate 2% in manufacturing (1988) South: growth rate NA% in manufacturing Electricity: 700,000 kW capacity; 1,200 million kWh produced, 120 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; fishing; small aluminum products factory; cement Agriculture: North: accounted for 26% of GDP and 70% of labor force; farm products - grain, fruits, vegetables, qat (mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, cotton, dairy, poultry, meat, goat meat; not self-sufficient in grain South: accounted for 17% of GNP and 45% of labor force; products - grain, qat (mildly narcotic shrub), coffee, fish, livestock; fish and honey major exports; most food imported Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $389 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.0 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $3.2 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.4 billion Currency: North Yemeni riyal (plural - riyals); 1 North Yemeni riyal (YR) = 100 fils; South Yemeni dinar (plural - dinars); 1 South Yemeni dinar (YD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: North Yemeni riyals (YR) per US$1 - 12,1000 (June 1992), 12.0000 (1991), 9.7600 (1990), 9.7600 (January 1989), 9.7717 (1988), 10.3417 (1987); South Yemeni dinars (YD) per US$1 - 0.3454 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: calendar year :Yemen Communications:Yemen Communications Highways: 15,500 km; 4,000 km paved, 11,500 km natural surface (est.) Pipelines: crude oil 644 km, petroleum products 32 km Ports: Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Khalf, Mocha, Nishtun, Ra's Kathib, Salif Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,309 GRT/6,568 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 1 petroleum tanker Civil air: 11 major transport aircraft Airports: 46 total, 40 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 20 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 11 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: since unification in 1990, efforts are being made to create a national domestic civil telecommunications network and to revitalize the infrastructure of a united Yemen; the network consists of microwave, cable and troposcatter; 65,000 telephones (est.); broadcast stations - 4 AM, 1 FM, 10 TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Intersputnik, 2 ARABSAT; microwave to Saudi Arabia, and Djibouti :Yemen Defense Forces:Yemen Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,981,710; 1,127,391 fit for military service; 130,405 reach military age (14) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.06 billion, 20% of GDP (1990) :Zaire Geography:Zaire Geography Total area: 2,345,410 km2 Land area: 2,267,600 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than one-quarter the size of US Land boundaries: 10,271 km total; Angola 2,511 km, Burundi 233 km, Central African Republic 1,577 km, Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km, Sudan 628 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km Coastline: 37 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it is reported that the indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary has been settled; long section with Congo along the Congo River is indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has been made) Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season April to October, dry season December to February; south of Equator - wet season November to March, dry season April to October Terrain: vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east Natural resources: cobalt, copper, cadmium, crude oil, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower potential Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest and woodland 78%; other 15%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands; periodic droughts in south Note: straddles Equator; very narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean :Zaire People:Zaire People Population: 39,084,400 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992) Birth rate: 45 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 13 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 97 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 52 years male, 56 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.1 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Zairian(s); adjective - Zairian Ethnic divisions: over 200 African ethnic groups, the majority are Bantu; four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and traditional beliefs 10% Languages: French (official), Lingala, Swahili, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba Literacy: 72% (male 84%, female 61%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 15,000,000; agriculture 75%, industry 13%, services 12%; wage earners 13% (1981); population of working age 51% (1985) Organized labor: National Union of Zairian Workers (UNTZA) was the only officially recognized trade union until April 1990; other unions are now in process of seeking official recognition :Zaire Government:Zaire Government Long-form name: Republic of Zaire Type: republic with a strong presidential system Capital: Kinshasa Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 town* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Zaire, Equateur, Haut-Zaire, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Shaba, Sud-Kivu Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium; formerly Belgian Congo, then Congo/Leopoldville, then Congo/Kinshasa) Constitution: 24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15 February 1978; amended April 1990; new constitution to be promulgated in 1992 Legal system: based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Anniversary of the Regime (Second Republic), 24 November (1965) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (Conseil Legislatif) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President Marshal MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga (since 24 November 1965) Head of Government: Prime Minister Jean NGUZ a Karl-i-Bond (since 26 November 1991) Political parties and leaders: sole legal party until January 1991 - Popular Movement of the Revolution (MPR); other parties include Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), Etienne TSHISEKEDI wa Mulumba; Democratic Social Christian Party (PDSC), Joseph ILEO; Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans (UFERI), NGUZ a Karl-I-Bond; and Congolese National Movement-Lumumba (MNC-L) Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: President: last held 29 July 1984 (next to be scheduled by ongoing National Conference); results - President MOBUTU was reelected without opposition Legislative Council: last held 6 September 1987 (next to be scheduled by ongoing National Conference); results - MPR was the only party; seats - (210 total) MPR 210; note - MPR still holds majority of seats but some deputies have joined other parties Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, APC, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, CIPEC, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador TATANENE Manata; Chancery at 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 234-7690 or 7691 :Zaire Government:Zaire Government US: Ambassador Melissa F. WELLS; Embassy at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa (mailing address is APO AE 09828); telephone [243] (12) 21532, 21628; FAX [243] (12) 21232; the US Consulate General in Lubumbashi was closed and evacuated in October 1991 because of the poor security situation Flag: light green with a yellow disk in the center bearing a black arm holding a red flaming torch; the flames of the torch are blowing away from the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia :Zaire Economy:Zaire Economy Overview: In 1990, in spite of large mineral resources Zaire had a GDP per capita of only about $260, putting it among the desperately poor African nations. The country's chronic economic problems worsened in 1991, with copper and cobalt production down 20-30%, inflation near 8,000% in 1991 as compared with 100% in 1987-89, and IMF and most World Bank support suspended until the institution of agreed-on changes. Agriculture, a key sector of the economy, employs 75% of the population but generates under 25% of GDP. The main potential for economic development has been the extractive industries. Mining and mineral processing account for about one-third of GDP and three-quarters of total export earnings. Zaire is the world's largest producer of diamonds and cobalt. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $9.8 billion, per capita $260; real growth rate -3% (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8,000% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $685 million; expenditures $1.1 billion, does not include capital expenditures mostly financed by donors (1990) Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: copper 37%, coffee 24%, diamonds 12%, cobalt, crude oil partners: US, Belgium, France, FRG, Italy, UK, Japan, South Africa Imports: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels partners: South Africa, US, Belgium, France, FRG, Italy, Japan, UK External debt: $7.9 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -7.3%; accounts for almost 30% of GDP (1989) Electricity: 2,580,000 kW capacity; 6,000 million kWh produced, 160 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining, mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, and cigarettes), processed foods and beverages, cement, diamonds Agriculture: cash crops - coffee, palm oil, rubber, quinine; food crops - cassava, bananas, root crops, corn Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $6.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $35 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $263 million Currency: zaire (singular and plural); 1 zaire (Z) = 100 makuta Exchange rates: zaire (Z) per US$1 - 111,196 (March 1992), 15,587 (1991), 719 (1990), 381 (1989), 187 (1988), 112 (1987) :Zaire Economy:Zaire Economy Fiscal year: calendar year :Zaire Communications:Zaire Communications Railroads: 5,254 km total; 3,968 km 1.067-meter gauge (851 km electrified); 125 km 1.000-meter gauge; 136 km 0.615-meter gauge; 1,025 km 0.600-meter gauge; limited trackage in use because of civil strife Highways: 146,500 km total; 2,800 km paved, 46,200 km gravel and improved earth; 97,500 unimproved earth Inland waterways: 15,000 km including the Congo, its tributaries, and unconnected lakes Pipelines: petroleum products 390 km Ports: Matadi, Boma, Banana Merchant marine: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,921 GRT/30,332 DWT; includes 1 passenger cargo, 1 cargo Civil air: 45 major transport aircraft Airports: 284 total, 239 usable; 24 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 73 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: barely adequate wire and microwave service; broadcast stations - 10 AM, 4 FM, 18 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 14 domestic :Zaire Defense Forces:Zaire Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, Civil Guard, Special Presidential Division Manpower availability: males 15-49, 8,521,292; 4,333,492 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $49 million, 0.8% of GDP (1988) :Zambia Geography:Zambia Geography Total area: 752,610 km2 Land area: 740,720 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Texas Land boundaries: 5,664 km total; Angola 1,110 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zaire 1,930 km, Zimbabwe 797 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; Tanzania-Zaire-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it is reported that the indefinite section of the Zaire-Zambia boundary has been settled Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April) Terrain: mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower potential Land use: arable land 7%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 47%; forest and woodland 27%; other 19%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification Note: landlocked :Zambia People:Zambia People Population: 8,745,284 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992) Birth rate: 48 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -2 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 77 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 55 years male, 59 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Zambian(s); adjective - Zambian Ethnic divisions: African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2% Religions: Christian 50-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24-49%, remainder indigenous beliefs 1% Languages: English (official); about 70 indigenous languages Literacy: 73% (male 81%, female 65%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 2,455,000; agriculture 85%; mining, manufacturing, and construction 6%; transport and services 9% Organized labor: about 238,000 wage earners are unionized :Zambia Government Long-form name: Republic of Zambia Type: multiparty system; on 17 December 1990, President Kenneth KAUNDA signed into law the constitutional amendment that officially reintroduced the multiparty system in Zambia ending 17 years of one-party rule Capital: Lusaka Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western Independence: 24 October 1964 (from UK; formerly Northern Rhodesia) Constitution: NA August 1991 Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Frederick CHILUBA (since 31 October 1991) Political parties and leaders: Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Frederick CHILUBA; United National Independence Party (UNIP), none; elections pending Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President: last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held mid-1995); results - Frederick CHILUBA 84%, Kenneth KAUNDA 16% National Assembly: last held 31 October 1991 (next to be held mid-1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (150 total) MMD 125, UNIP 25 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-19, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador (vacant); Chancery at 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-9717 through 9721 US: Ambassador Gordon L. STREEB; Embassy at corner of Independence Avenue and United Nations Avenue, Lusaka (mailing address is P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka); telephone [2601] 228-595, 228-601, 228-602, 228-603; FAX [2601] 251-578 Flag: green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag :Zambia Economy Overview: The economy has been in decline for more than a decade with falling imports and growing foreign debt. Economic difficulties stem from a sustained drop in copper production and ineffective economic policies. In 1991 real GDP fell by 2%. An annual population growth of more than 3% has brought a decline in per capita GDP of 50% over the past decade. A high inflation rate has also added to Zambia's economic woes in recent years. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $4.7 billion, per capita $600; real growth rate -2% (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 100% (1991) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $665 million; expenditures $767 million, including capital expenditures of $300 million (1991 est.) Exports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: copper, zinc, cobalt, lead, tobacco partners: EC, Japan, South Africa, US, India Imports: $1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, fuels, manufactures partners: EC, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, US External debt: $8 billion (December 1991) Industrial production: growth rate -2% (1991); accounts for 50% of GDP Electricity: 2,775,000 kW capacity; 12,000 million kWh produced, 1,400 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: copper mining and processing, transport, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, and fertilizer Agriculture: accounts for 17% of GDP and 85% of labor force; crops - corn (food staple), sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava; cattle, goats, beef, eggs Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $4.8 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $60 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $533 million Currency: Zambian kwacha (plural - kwacha); 1 Zambian kwacha (ZK) = 100 ngwee Exchange rates: Zambian kwacha (ZK) per US$1 - 128.2051 (March 1992), 61.7284 (1991), 28.9855 (1990), 12.9032 (1989), 8.2237 (1988), 8.8889 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year :Zambia Communications Railroads: 1,266 km, all 1.067-meter gauge; 13 km double track Highways: 36,370 km total; 6,500 km paved, 7,000 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil; 22,870 km improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: 2,250 km, including Zambezi and Luapula Rivers, Lake Tanganyika Pipelines: crude oil 1,724 km Ports: Mpulungu (lake port) Civil air: 12 major transport aircraft Airports: 117 total, 104 usable; 13 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: facilities are among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa; high-capacity microwave connects most larger towns and cities; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 5 FM, 9 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT :Zambia Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, Police, paramilitary Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,818,545; 953,718 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP :Zimbabwe Geography Total area: 390,580 km2 Land area: 386,670 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Montana Land boundaries: 3,066 km total; Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km Coastline: none - landlocked Maritime claims: none - landlocked Disputes: quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia is in disagreement Climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March) Terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals Land use: arable land 7%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 12%; forest and woodland 62%; other 19%; includes irrigated NEGL% Environment: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare; deforestation; soil erosion; air and water pollution Note: landlocked :Zimbabwe People Population: 11,033,376 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992) Birth rate: 40 births/1,000 population (1992) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1992) Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1992) Infant mortality rate: 59 deaths/1,000 live births (1992) Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 64 years female (1992) Total fertility rate: 5.4 children born/woman (1992) Nationality: noun - Zimbabwean(s); adjective - Zimbabwean Ethnic divisions: African 98% (Shona 71%, Ndebele 16%, other 11%); white 1%, mixed and Asian 1% Religions: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, a few Muslim Languages: English (official); Shona, Sindebele Literacy: 67% (male 74%, female 60%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) Labor force: 3,100,000; agriculture 74%, transport and services 16%, mining, manufacturing, construction 10% (1987) Organized labor: 17% of wage and salary earners have union membership :Zimbabwe Government Long-form name: Republic of Zimbabwe Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Harare Administrative divisions: 8 provinces; Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo (Victoria), Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK; formerly Southern Rhodesia) Constitution: 21 December 1979 Legal system: mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980) Executive branch: executive president, 2 vice presidents, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice President Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice President Joshua M. NKOMO (since 6 August 1990) Political parties and leaders: Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Robert MUGABE; Zimbabwe African National Union-Sithole (ZANU-S), Ndabaningi SITHOLE; Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM), Edgar TEKERE; Democratic Party (DP), Emmanuel MAGOCHE Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Executive President: last held 28-30 March 1990 (next to be held NA March 1996); results - Robert MUGABE 78.3%, Edgar TEKERE 21.7% Parliament: last held 28-30 March 1990 (next to be held NA March 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (150 total, 120 elected) ZANU-PF 117, ZUM 2, ZANU-S 1 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, SADCC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Counselor (Political Affairs), Head of Chancery, Ambassador Stanislaus Garikai CHIGWEDERE; Chancery at 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 332-7100 US: Ambassador Edward Gibson LANPHER; Embassy at 172 Herbert Chitapo Avenue, Harare (mailing address is P. O. Box 3340, Harare); telephone [263] (4) 794-521 :Zimbabwe Government Flag: seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white equilateral triangle edged in black based on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle :Zimbabwe Economy Overview: Agriculture employs three-fourths of the labor force and supplies almost 40% of exports. The manufacturing sector, based on agriculture and mining, produces a variety of goods and contributes 35% to GDP. Mining accounts for only 5% of both GDP and employment, but supplies of minerals and metals account for about 40% of exports. Wide year-to-year fluctuations in agricultural production over the past six years have resulted in an uneven growth rate, one that on average has matched the 3% annual increase in population. Helped by an IMF/World Bank structural adjustment program, output rose 3.5% in 1991. A drought beginning toward the end of 1991 suggests rough going for 1992. GDP: exchange rate conversion - $7.1 billion, per capita $660; real growth rate 3.5% (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: at least 30% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $2.7 billion; expenditures $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $330 million (FY91) Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: agricultural 35% (tobacco 20%, other 15%), manufactures 20%, gold 10%, ferrochrome 10%, cotton 5% partners: Europe 55% (EC 40%, Netherlands 5%, other 15%), Africa 20% (South Africa 10%, other 10%), US 5% Imports: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 37%, other manufactures 22%, chemicals 16%, fuels 15% partners: EC 31%, Africa 29% (South Africa 21%, other 8%), US 8%, Japan 4% External debt: $2.96 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1991 est.); accounts for 35% of GDP Electricity: 3,650,000 kW capacity; 7,500 million kWh produced, 700 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: mining, steel, clothing and footwear, chemicals, foodstuffs, fertilizer, beverage, transportation equipment, wood products Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GDP and employs 74% of population; 40% of land area divided into 4,500 large commercial farms and 42% in communal lands; crops - corn (food staple), cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; self-sufficient in food Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY80-89), $389 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $36 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $134 million Currency: Zimbabwean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Zimbabwean dollar (Z$) = 100 cents :Zimbabwe Economy Exchange rates: Zimbabwean dollars (Z$) per US$1 - 4.3066 (March 1992), 3.4282 (1991), 2.4480 (1990), 2.1133 (1989), 1.8018 (1988), 1.6611 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June :Zimbabwe Communications Railroads: 2,745 km 1.067-meter gauge; 42 km double track; 355 km electrified Highways: 85,237 km total; 15,800 km paved, 39,090 km crushed stone, gravel, stabilized soil: 23,097 km improved earth; 7,250 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: Lake Kariba is a potential line of communication Pipelines: petroleum products 8 km Civil air: 12 major transport aircraft Airports: 491 total, 401 usable; 22 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 32 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance; consists of microwave links, open-wire lines, and radio communications stations; 247,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 8 AM, 18 FM, 8 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station :Zimbabwe Defense Forces Branches: Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe National Police (including Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police), People's Militia Manpower availability: males 15-49, 2,355,965; 1,456,829 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $412.4 million, about 6% of GDP (FY91 est.) ******** Notes, Definitions, and AbbreviationsNotes, Definitions, and Abbreviations Text (264 nations, dependent areas, and other entities) Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Arctic Ocean Argentina Armenia Aruba Ashmore and Cartier Islands Atlantic Ocean Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas, The Bahrain Baker Island Bangladesh Barbados Bassas da India Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Hercegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Burma Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China (also see separate Taiwan entry) Christmas Island Clipperton Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Coral Sea Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechoslovakia Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Estonia Ethiopia Europa Island Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern and Antarctic Lands Gabon Gambia, The Gaza Strip Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Glorioso Islands Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong Howland Island Hungary Iceland India Indian Ocean Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel (also see separate Gaza Strip and West Bank entries) Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Jan Mayen Japan Jarvis Island Jersey Johnston Atoll Jordan (also see separate West Bank entry) Juan de Nova Island Kazakhstan Kenya Kingman Reef Kiribati Korea, North Korea, South Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Man, Isle of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nauru Navassa Island Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau) Pacific Ocean Pakistan Palmyra Atoll Panama Papua New Guinea Paracel Islands Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain Spratly Islands Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan (follows Zimbabwe) Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tromelin Island Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands Wake Island Wallis and Futuna West Bank Western Sahara Western Samoa World Yemen Zaire Zambia Zimbabwe Taiwan Appendixes A: The United Nations System B: Abbreviations for International Organizations and Groups C: International Organizations and Groups D: Weights and Measures E: Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names Standard Time Zones of the World Notes, Definitions, and Abbreviations There have been some significant changes in this edition. The Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and the Iraq - Saudi Arabia Neutral Zone have been dropped. All 15 former Soviet republics have been added - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia have replaced Yugoslavia. Three maps on areas of special interest have been added this year - two maps on the Commonwealth of Independent States (European States and Central Asian States) and a map of Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe. Abbreviations: (see Appendix B for international organizations and groups) avdp.: avoirdupois c.i.f.: cost, insurance, and freight CY: calendar year DWT: deadweight ton est.: estimate Ex-Im: Export-Import Bank of the United States f.o.b.: free on board FRG: Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91 FY: fiscal year GDP: gross domestic product GDR: German Democratic Republic (East Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91 GNP: gross national product GRT: gross register ton km: kilometer km2: square kilometer kW: kilowatt kWh: kilowatt hour m: meter NA: not available NEGL: negligible nm: nautical mile NZ: New Zealand ODA: official development assistance OOF: other official flows PDRY: People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91 UAE: United Arab Emirates UK: United Kingdom US: United States USSR: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union); used for information dated before 25 December 1991 YAR: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91 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. 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 km2, 69 miles2) or the Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 km2, 0.23 miles2, 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 1992 was used in the preparation of this edition. Population figures are estimates for 1 July 1992, with population growth rates estimated for mid-1992 through mid-1993. Major political events have been updated through 30 June 1992. Military age figures are for 1992. Death rate: The average annual number of deaths during a year per l,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. Diplomatic representation: The US Government has diplomatic relations with 176 nations (the US has not yet established full diplomatic relations with Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia). The US has diplomatic relations with 167 of the 178 UN members - the exceptions are Angola, Bhutan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Slovenia, and Vietnam. In addition, the US has diplomatic relations with 9 nations that are not in the UN - Andorra, Kiribati, Monaco, Nauru, San Marino, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vatican City. Disputes: This category includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Every international land boundary dispute in the ``Guide to Interna- tional Boundaries,'' a map published by the Department of State, is included. References to other situations may also be included that are border or frontier relevant, such as maritime disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues. However, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government. Economic aid: This entry refers to bilateral commitments of official develop- ment assistance (ODA), which is defined as government grants that are administered with the promotion of economic development and welfare of LDCs as their main objective and are concessional in character and contain a grant element of at least 25%, and other official flows (OOF) or transactions by the official sector whose main objective is other than development motivated or whose grant element is below the 25% threshold for ODA. OOF transactions include official export credits (such as Eximbank 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. The long-form name is included in the ``Government'' section, and an entry of ``none'' indicates a long-form name does not exist. In some instances, no short-form name exists - then the long-form name must serve for all usages. There are 264 entities in The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows: NATIONS 177 UN members (excluding Yugoslavia) 11 nations that are not members of the UN - Andorra, Georgia, Kiribati, Macedonia, Monaco, Nauru, Serbia and Montenegro, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vatican City (Holy See) OTHER 1 Taiwan DEPENDENT AREAS 6 Australia - Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island 2 Denmark - Faroe Islands, Greenland 16 France - Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Guadeloupe, Juan de Nova Island, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna 2 Netherlands - Aruba, Netherlands Antilles 3 New Zealand - Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau 3 Norway - Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard 1 Portugal - Macau 16 United Kingdom - Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jersey, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands 15 United States - American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau), Virgin Islands, Wake Island MISCELLANEOUS 6 Antarctica, Gaza Strip, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, West Bank, Western Sahara OTHER ENTITIES 4 oceans - Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean 1 World 264 total note: The US Government does not recognize the four so-called independent homelands of Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei, and Venda in South Africa. Gross domestic product (GDP): The value of all goods and services produced domestically. Gross national product (GNP): The value of all goods and services produced domestically plus income earned abroad, minus income earned by foreigners from domestic production. GNP/GDP methodology: In the ``Economy'' section, GNP/GDP dollar estimates for the OECD countries, the former Soviet republics, and the East European 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 PPP GNP/GDP estimate in dollars by the corresponding estimate in the local currency gives the PPP conversion rate. 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. GNP/GDP estimates for the LDCs, on the other hand, are based on the conversion of GNP/GDP estimates in local currencies to dollars at the official currency exchange rates. One caution: the proportion of, say, defense expenditures as a percent of GNP/GDP in local currency accounts may differ substantially from the proportion when GNP/GDP accounts are expressed in PPP terms, as, for example, when an observer estimates the dollar level of Russian or Japanese military expenditures; similar problems exist when components are expressed in dollars under currency exchange rate procedures. Finally, as academic research moves forward on the PPP method, we hope to convert all GNP/GDP estimates to this method in future editions of The World Factbook. 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 (Erythroxylon coca) is a bush, and the leaves contain the stimulant 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. Marijuana is the dried leaves of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). 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 w/codeine, Empirin w/codeine, Robitussan A-C), 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. 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. Land use: Human use of 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 - land under dense or open stands of trees; and other - any land type not specifi- cally mentioned above (urban areas, roads, desert). The percentage figure for irrigated land refers to the portion of the entire amount of land area that is artificially supplied with water. Leaders: The chief of state is the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial funcions 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. Maps: All maps will be available only in the printed version for the fore- seeable future. Maritime claims: The proximity of neighboring states may prevent some national claims from being fully extended. 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 register 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. Differences in flag state maritime legislation determine 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 are expressed in contemporaneous US dollars unless otherwise indicated. 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 registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past, and on assumptions about future trends. 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). 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 and Environmental 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. Appendix A: The United Nations SystemAppendix A: The United Nations System The UN is composed of six principal organs and numerous subordinate agencies and bodies as follows: 1) Secretariat 2) General Assembly: UNCHS United Nations Center for Human Settlements (Habitat) UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDP United Nations Development Program UNEP United Nations Environment Program UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNHCR United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund UNITAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNSF United Nations Special Fund UNU United Nations University WFC World Food Council WFP World Food Program 3) Security Council: UNAVEM United Nations Angola Verification Mission UNDOF United Nations Disengagement Observer Force UNFICYP United Nations Force in Cyprus UNIFIL United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIIMOG United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group UNMOGIP United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan UNTSO United Nations Truce Supervision Organization 4) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Specialized agencies FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization IDA International Development Association IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IFC International Finance Corporation ILO International Labor Organization IMF International Monetary Fund IMO International Maritime Organization ITU International Telecommunication Union UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UPU Universal Postal Union WHO World Health Organization WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization WMO World Meteorological Organization Related organizations GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency Regional commissions ECA Economic Commission for Africa ECE Economic Commission for Europe ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ESCWA Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Functional commissions Commission on Human Rights Commission on Narcotic Drugs Commission for Social Development Commission on the Status of Women Population Commission Statistical Commission 5) Trusteeship Council 6) International Court of Justice (ICJ) Appendix B Abbreviations for International Organizations and GroupsAppendix B Abbreviations for International Organizations and Groups ABEDA Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa ACC Arab Cooperation Council ACCT Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation ACP African, Caribbean, and Pacific Countries AfDB African Development Bank AFESD Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development AG Andean Group AL Arab League ALADI Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion; see Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) AMF Arab Monetary Fund AMU Arab Maghreb Union ANZUS Australia-New Zealand-United States Security Treaty APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation AsDB Asian Development Bank ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations BAD Banque Africaine de Developpement; see African Development Bank (AfDB) BADEA Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique; see Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA) BCIE Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico; see Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) BDEAC Banque de Developpment des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale; see Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC) Benelux Benelux Economic Union BID Banco Interamericano de Desarvollo; see Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) BIS Bank for International Settlements BOAD Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement; see West African Development Bank (WADB) C Commonwealth CACM Central American Common Market CAEU Council of Arab Economic Unity CARICOM Caribbean Community and Common Market CCC Customs Cooperation Council CDB Caribbean Development Bank CE Council of Europe CEAO Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest; see West African Economic Community (CEAO) CEEAC Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale; see Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) CEMA Council for Mutual Economic Assistance; also known as CMEA or Comecon; abolished 1 January 1991 CEPGL Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs; see Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) CERN Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire; see European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) CG Contadora Group CIS Commonwealth of Independent States CMEA Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA); also known as Comecon; abolished 1 January 1991 COCOM Coordinating Committee on Export Controls Comecon Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA); also known as CMEA; abolished 1 January 1991 CP Colombo Plan CSCE Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe DC developed country EADB East African Development Bank EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EC European Community ECA Economic Commission for Africa ECAFE Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East; see Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) ECE Economic Commission for Europe ECLA Economic Commission for Latin America; see Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ECOSOC Economic and Social Council ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States ECWA Economic Commission for Western Asia; see Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) EFTA European Free Trade Association EIB European Investment Bank Entente Council of the Entente ESA European Space Agency ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ESCWA Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FLS Front Line States FZ Franc Zone G-2 Group of 2 G-3 Group of 3 G-5 Group of 5 G-6 Group of 6 (not to be confused with the Big Six) G-7 Group of 7 G-8 Group of 8 G-9 Group of 9 G-10 Group of 10 G-11 Group of 11 G-15 Group of 15 G-19 Group of 19 G-24 Group of 24 G-30 Group of 30 G-33 Group of 33 G-77 Group of 77 GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade GCC Gulf Cooperation Council Habitat see United Nations Center for Human Settlements (UNCHS) HG Hexagonal Group IADB Inter-American Development Bank IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency IBEC International Bank for Economic Cooperation IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization ICC International Chamber of Commerce ICEM Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration; see International Organization for Migration (IOM) ICFTU International Confederation of Free Trade Unions ICJ International Court of Justice ICM Intergovernmental Committee for Migration; see International Organization for Migration (IOM) ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross IDA International Development Association IDB Islamic Development Bank IEA International Energy Agency IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IFC International Finance Corporation IGADD Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development IIB International Investment Bank ILO International Labor Organization IMCO Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization; see International Maritime Organization (IMO) IMF International Monetary Fund IMO International Maritime Organization INMARSAT International Maritime Satellite Organization INTELSAT International Telecommunications Satellite Organization INTERPOL International Criminal Police Organization IOC International Olympic Committee IOM International Organization for Migration ISO International Organization for Standardization ITU International Telecommunication Union LAES Latin American Economic System LAIA Latin American Integration Association LAS League of Arab States; see Arab League (AL) LDC less developed country LLDC least developed country LORCS League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies MERCOSUR Southern Cone Common Market MTCR Missile Technology Control Regime NACC North Atlantic Cooperation Council NAM Nonaligned Movement NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization NC Nordic Council NEA Nuclear Energy Agency NIB Nordic Investment Bank NIC newly industrializing country; see newly industrializing economy (NIE) NIE newly industrializing economy NSG Nuclear Suppliers Group OAPEC Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries OAS Organization of American States OAU Organization of African Unity OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECS Organization of Eastern Caribbean States OIC Organization of the Islamic Conference OPANAL Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries PCA Permanent Court of Arbitration RG Rio Group SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SACU Southern African Customs Union SADCC Southern African Development Coordination Conference SELA Sistema Economico Latinoamericana; see Latin American Economic System (LAES) SPC South Pacific Commission SPF South Pacific Forum UDEAC Union Douaniere et Economique de l'Afrique Centrale; see Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC) UN United Nations UNAVEM United Nations Angola Verification Mission UNCHS United National Center for Human Settlements (also known as Habitat) UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDOF United Nations Disengagement Observer Force UNDP United Nations Development Program UNEP United Nations Environment Program UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization UNFICYP United Nations Force in Cyprus UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population Activities; see UN Population Fund (UNFPA) UNHCR United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund; see United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIFIL United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIIMOG United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group UNMOGIP United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNTSO United Nations Truce Supervision Organization UPU Universal Postal Union USSR/EE USSR/Eastern Europe WADB West African Development Bank WCL World Confederation of Labor WEU Western European Union WFC World Food Council WFP World Food Program WFTU World Federation of Trade Unions WHO World Health Organization WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization WMO World Meteorological Organization WP Warsaw Pact (members met 1 July 1991 to dissolve the alliance) WTO World Tourism Organization ZC Zangger Committee note: not all international organizations and groups have abbreviations Appendix C: International Organizations and GroupsAppendix C: International Organizations and Groups ********** advanced developing countries Note - another term for those less developed countries (LDCs) with particularly rapid industrial development; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs) ********** African, Caribbean, and Pacific Countries (ACP) established - 1 April 1976 aim - members have a preferential economic and aid relationship with the EC members - (69) Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Boswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** African Development Bank (AfDB), also known as Banque Africaine de Developpement (BAD) established - 4 August 1963 aim - to promote economic and social development regional members - (51) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe nonregional members - (25) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US, Yugoslavia ********** Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique (ACCT) Note - see Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT) ********** Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT) Note - acronym from Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique established - 21 March 1970 aim - to promote cultural and technical cooperation among French- speaking countries members - (32) Belgium, Benin, Burkina, Burundi, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, France, Gabon, Guinea, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Togo, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zaire associate members - (7) Cameroon, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Mauritania, Morocco, Saint Lucia participating governments - (2) New Brunswick (Canada), Quebec (Canada) ********** Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) Note - acronym from Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares en la America Latina y el Caribe (OPANAL) established - 14 February 1967 aim - to encourage the peaceful uses of atomic energy and prohibit nuclear weapons members - (24) Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela ********** Andean Group (AG) established - 26 May 1969, effective 16 October 1969 aim - to promote harmonious development through economic integration members - (5) Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela associate member - (1) Panama observers - (26) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Paraguay, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US, Uruguay, Yugoslavia Note - The US view is that the Socialist Federal represents its continuation. Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) has dissolved and that none of the successor republics ********** Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA) Note - also known as Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique (BADEA) established - 18 February 1974 effective - 16 September 1974 aim - to promote economic development members - (16 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Palestine Liberation Organization; note - these are all the members of the Arab League except Djibouti, Somalia, and Yemen ********** Arab Cooperation Council (ACC) established - 16 February 1989 aim - to promote economic cooperation and integration, possibly leading to an Arab Common Market members - (4) Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen ********** Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD)Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) established - 16 May 1968 aim - to promote economic and social development members - (20 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt (suspended from 1979 to 1988), Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization ********** Arab League (AL)Arab League (AL) Note - also known as League of Arab States (LAS) established - 22 March 1945 aim - to promote economic, social, political, and military cooperation members - (20 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization ********** Arab Maghreb Union (AMU)Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) established - 17 February 1989 aim - to promote cooperation and integration among the Arab states of northern Africa members - (5) Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia ********** Arab Monetary Fund (AMF)Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) established - 27 April 1976 effective - 2 February 1977 aim - to promote Arab cooperation, development, and integration in monetary and economic affairs members - (19 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization ********** Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) established - NA November 1989 aim - to promote trade and investment in the Pacific basin members - (15) all ASEAN members (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand) plus Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, NZ, Taiwan, US ********** Asian Development Bank (AsDB)Asian Development Bank (AsDB) established - 19 December 1966 aim - to promote regional economic cooperation regional members - (35) Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa nonregional members - (15) Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US ********** Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI)Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI) Note - see Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) ********** Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) established - 9 August 1967 aim - regional economic, social, and cultural cooperation among the non-Communist countries of Southeast Asia members - (6) Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand observer - (1) Papua New Guinea ********** Australia GroupAustralia Group established - 1984 aim - to consult on and coordinate export controls related to chemical and biological weapons members - (22) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US ********** Australia - New Zealand - United States Security Treaty (ANZUS)Australia - New Zealand - United States Security Treaty (ANZUS) established - 1 September 1951, effective 29 April 1952 aim - trilateral mutual security agreement, although the US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986 members - (3) Australia, NZ, US ********** Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico (BCIE)Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico (BCIE) Note - see Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) ********** Banco Interamericano de Desarvollo (BID)Banco Interamericano de Desarvollo (BID) Note - see Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) ********** Bank for International Settlements (BIS)Bank for International Settlements (BIS) established - 20 January 1930 effective - 17 March 1930 aim - to promote cooperation among central banks in international financial settlements members - (29) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US, Yugoslavia ********** Banque Africaine de Developpement (BAD)Banque Africaine de Developpement (BAD) Note - see African Development Bank (AfDB) ********** Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique (BADEA)Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique (BADEA) Note - see Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA) ********** Banque de Developpement des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (BDEAC)Banque de Developpement des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (BDEAC) Note - see Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC) ********** Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement (BOAD)Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement (BOAD) Note - see West African Development Bank (WADB) ********** Benelux Economic Union (Benelux)Benelux Economic Union (Benelux) Note - acronym from Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg established - 3 February 1958 effective - 1 November 1960 aim - to develop closer economic cooperation and integration members - (3) Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands ********** Big SevenBig Seven Note - membership is the same as the Group of 7 established - NA aim - to discuss and coordinate major economic policies members - (7) Big Six (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK) plus the US ********** Big SixBig Six Note - not to be confused with the Group of 6 established - NA aim - economic cooperation members - (6) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK ********** Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM)Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) established - 4 July 1973 effective - 1 August 1973 aim - to promote economic integration and development, especially among the less developed countries members - (13) Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago associate members - (2) British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands observers - (10) Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Venezuela ********** Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) established - 18 October 1969 effective - 26 January 1970 aim - to promote economic development and cooperation regional members - (20) Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Venezuela nonregional members - (5) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, UK ********** Cartagena GroupCartagena Group Note - see Group of 11 ********** Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC)Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC) Note - acronym from Union Douaniere et Economique de l'Afrique Centrale established - 8 December 1964 effective - 1 January 1966 aim - to promote the establishment of a Central African Common Market members - (6) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon ********** Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC)Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC) Note - acronym from Banque de Developpement des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale established - 3 December 1975 aim - to provide loans for economic development members - (9) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Germany, Kuwait ********** Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE)Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) Note - acronym from Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico established - 13 December 1960 aim - to promote economic integration and development members - (5) Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua ********** Central American Common Market (CACM)Central American Common Market (CACM) established - 13 December 1960 effective - 3 June 1961 aim - to promote establishment of a Central American Common Market members - (5) Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua ********** centrally planned economiescentrally planned economies Note - a term applied mainly to the traditionally Communist states that looked to the former USSR for leadership; most are now evolving toward more democratic and market-oriented systems; also known formerly as the Second World or as the Communist countries; through the 1980s, this group included Albania, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, GDR, Hungary, North Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam, Yugoslavia ********** Colombo Plan (CP)Colombo Plan (CP) established - 1 July 1951 aim - to promote economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific nembers - (26) Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UK, US ********** Commission for Social DevelopmentCommission for Social Development established - 21 June 1946 as the Social Commission, renamed 29 July 1966 aim - ECOSOC organization dealing with social development programs members - (31) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** Commission on Human RightsCommission on Human Rights established - 18 February 1946 aim - ECOSOC organization dealing with human rights members - (43) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** Commission on Narcotic DrugsCommission on Narcotic Drugs established - 16 February 1946 aim - ECOSOC organization dealing with illicit drugs members - (38) selected on a rotating basis from all regions with emphasis on producing and processing countries ********** Commission on the Status of WomenCommission on the Status of Women established - 21 June 1946 aim - ECOSOC organization dealing with women's rights members - (32) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** Commonwealth (C)Commonwealth (C) established - 31 December 1931 aim - voluntary association that evolved from the British Empire and that seeks to foster multinational cooperation and assistance members - (48) Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, NZ, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, UK, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia, Zimbabwe special members - (2) Nauru, Tuvalu ********** Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) established - 8 December 1991 effective - 21 December 1991 aim - to coordinate intercommonwealth relations and to provide a mechanism for the orderly dissolution of the USSR members - (11) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan ********** Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEAO)Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEAO) Note - see West African Economic Community (CEAO) ********** Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (CEEAC)Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (CEEAC) Note - see Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) ********** Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs (CEPGL)Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs (CEPGL) Note - see Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) ********** Communist countriesCommunist countries Note - traditionally the Marxist-Leninist states with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; most of the successor states are no longer Communist; see centrally planned economies ********** Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) established - NA November 1972 aim - discusses issues of mutual concern and reviews implementation of the Helsinki Agreement members - (52) Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Yugoslavia ********** Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire (CERN)Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire (CERN) Note - see European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) ********** Contadora Group (CG) - Note - was established 5 January 1983 (on the Panamanian island of Contadora) to reduce tensions and conflicts in Central America but evolved into the Rio Group (RG); members included Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela ********** Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the GulfCooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Note - see Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ********** Coordinating Committee on Export Controls (COCOM)Coordinating Committee on Export Controls (COCOM) established - NA 1949 aim - to control the export of strategic products and technical data from member countries to proscribed destinations members - (17) Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK, US cooperating countries - (8) Austria, Finland, Ireland, South Korea, NZ, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland ********** Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA)Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA) Note - also known as CMEA or Comecon, was established 25 January 1949 to promote the development of socialist economies and was abolished 1 January 1991; members included Afghanistan (observer), Albania (had not participated since 1961 break with USSR), Angola (observer), Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia (observer), GDR, Hungary, Laos (observer), Mongolia, Mozambique (observer), Nicaragua (observer), Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam, Yemen (observer), Yugoslavia (associate) ********** Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU)Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU) established - 3 June 1957 effective - 30 May 1964 aim - to promote economic integration among Arab nations members - (11 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization ********** Council of Europe (CE)Council of Europe (CE) established - 5 May 1949 effective - 3 August 1949 aim - to promote increased unity and quality of life in Europe members - (28) Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK ********** Council of the Entente (Entente)Council of the Entente (Entente) established - 29 May 1959 aim - to promote economic, social, and political coordination members - (5) Benin, Burkina, Ivory Coast, Niger, Togo ********** Customs Cooperation Council (CCC)Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) established - 15 December 1950 aim - to promote international cooperation in customs matters members - (108) Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** developed countries (DCs)developed countries (DCs) Note - the top group in the comprehensive but mutually exclusive hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); includes the market-oriented economies of the mainly democratic nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Bermuda, Israel, South Africa, and the European ministates; also known as the First World, high-income countries, the North, industrial countries; generally have a per capita GNP/GDP in excess of $10,000 although some OECD countries and South Africa have figures well under $10,000 and two of the excluded OPEC countries have figures of more than $10,000. The 34 DCs are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US, Vatican City ********** developing countriesdeveloping countries Note - an imprecise term for the less developed countries with growing economies; see less developed countries (LDCs) ********** East African Development Bank (EADB)East African Development Bank (EADB) established - 6 June 1967 effective - 1 December 1967 aim - to promote economic development members - (3) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda ********** Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) established - 28 March 1947 as Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) aim - to promote economic development as a regional commission for the UN's ECOSOC members - (39) Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK, US, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa associate members - (10) American Samoa, Cook Islands, Guam, Hong Kong, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau) ********** Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) established - 9 August 1973 as Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA) aim - to promote economic development as a regional commission for the UN's ECOSOC members - (12 and the Palestine Liberation Organization) Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization ********** Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) established - 26 June 1945 effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to coordinate the economic and social work of the UN; includes five regional commissions (see Economic Commission for Africa, Economic Commission for Europe, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) and six functional commissions (see Commission for Social Development, Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Commission on the Status of Women, Population Commission, and Statistical Commission) members - (54) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) established - 29 April 1958 aim - to promote economic development as a regional commission of the UN's ECOSOC members - (52) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa (suspended), Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE)

see Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) ********** Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) established - 28 March 1947 aim - to promote economic development as a regional commission of the UN's ECOSOC members - (33) Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, US, Yugoslavia ********** Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA)

see Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) ********** Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) established - 25 February 1948 as Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) aim - to promote economic development as a regional commission of the UN's ECOSOC members - (41) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela associate members - (5) Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Virgin Islands ********** Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA)Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA) Note - see Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) ********** Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) - acronym from Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique CentraleEconomic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) - acronym from Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale established - 18 October 1983 aim - to promote regional economic cooperation and establish a Central African Common Market members - (10) Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Zaire observer - (1) Angola ********** Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL)Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) Note - acronym from Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs established - 26 September 1976 aim - to promote regional economic cooperation and integration members - (3) Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire ********** Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) established - 28 May 1975 aim - to promote regional economic cooperation members - (16) Benin, Burkina, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo ********** European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) established - 15 April 1991 aim - to facilitate the transition of seven centrally planned economies in Europe (Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, former USSR, and former Yugoslavia) to market economies by committing 60% of its loans to privatization members - (35) Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, European Community (EC), Egypt, European Investment Bank (EIB), Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US; note - includes all 24 members of the OECD and the EC as an institution ********** European Community (EC)European Community (EC) established - 8 April 1965 effective - 1 July 1967 aim - a fusing of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), the European Coal and Steel Community (ESC), and the European Economic Community (EEC or Common Market); the EC plans to establish a completely integrated common market in 1992 and an eventual federation of Europe members - (12) Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK associate member - (1) Czechoslovakia ********** European Free Trade Association (EFTA)European Free Trade Association (EFTA) established - 4 January 1960 effective - 3 May 1960 aim - to promote expansion of free trade members - (6) Austria, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland ********** European Investment Bank (EIB)European Investment Bank (EIB) established - 25 March 1957 effective - 1 January 1958 aim - to promote economic development of the EC members - (12) Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK ********** European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) Note - acronym retained from the predecessor organization Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire established - 1 July 1953 effective - 29 September 1954 aim - to foster nuclear research for peaceful purposes only members - (16) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK observers - (2) Turkey, Yugoslavia ********** European Space Agency (ESA)European Space Agency (ESA) established - 31 July 1973 effective - 1 May 1975 aim - to promote peaceful cooperation in space research and technology members - (13) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK associate member - (1) Finland ********** First WorldFirst World Note - another term for countries with advanced, industrialized economies; this term is fading from use; see developed countries (DCs) ********** Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) established - 16 October 1945 aim - UN specialized agency to raise living standards and increase availability of agricultural products members - (157) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei, Croatia, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; other members are Cook Islands, Switzerland, Tonga ********** Former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE)Former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE) Note - the middle group in the comprehensive but mutually exclusive hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); these countries are in political and economic transition and may well be grouped differently in the near future; this includes Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czecholovakia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia ********** Four DragonsFour Dragons Note - the four small Asian less developed countries (LDCs) that have experienced unusually rapid economic growth; also known as the Four Tigers; this group includes Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan ********** Four TigersFour Tigers Note - another term for the Four Dragons; see Four Dragons ********** Franc Zone (FZ)Franc Zone (FZ) established - NA aim - monetary union among countries whose currencies are linked to the French franc members - (15) Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo; note - France includes metropolitan France, the four overseas departments of France (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion), the two territorial collectivities of France (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon), and the three overseas territories of France (French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna) ********** Front Line States (FLS)Front Line States (FLS) established - NA aim - to achieve black majority rule in South Africa members - (7) Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) established - 30 October 1947 effective - 1 January 1948 aim - to promote the expansion of international trade on a nondiscriminatory basis members - (98) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Uruguay, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** Group of 2 (G-2)Group of 2 (G-2) established - informal term that came into use about 1986 aim - bilateral economic cooperation between the two most powerful economic giants members - (2) Japan, US ********** Group of 3 (G-3)Group of 3 (G-3) established - NA October 1990 aim - mechanism for policy coordination members - (3) Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela ********** Group of 5 (G-5)Group of 5 (G-5) established - 22 September 1985 aim - the five major non-Communist economic powers members - (5) France, Germany, Japan, UK, US ********** Group of 6 (G-6)Group of 6 (G-6) Note - not to be confused with the Big Six established - 22 May 1984 aim - seeks to achieve nuclear disarmament members - (6) Argentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Sweden, Tanzania ********** Group of 7 (G-7)Group of 7 (G-7) Note - membership is the same as the Big Seven established - 22 September 1985 aim - the seven major non-Communist economic powers members - (7) Group of 5 (France, Germany, Japan, UK, US) plus Canada and Italy ********** Group of 8 (G-8)Group of 8 (G-8) established - NA October 1975 aim - the developed countries (DCs) that participated in the Conference on International Economic Cooperation (CIEC), held in several sessions between NA December 1975 and 3 June 1977 members - (8) Australia, Canada, EC (as one member), Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, US ********** Group of 9 (G-9)Group of 9 (G-9) established - NA aim - informal group that meets occasionally on matters of mutual interest members - (9) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Sweden, Yugoslavia ********** Group of 10 (G-10)Group of 10 (G-10) Note - also known as the Paris Club established - NA October 1962 aim - wealthiest members of the IMF who provide most of the money to be loaned and act as the informal steering committee; name persists in spite of the addition of Switzerland on NA April 1984 members - (11) Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US ********** Group of 11 (G-11)Group of 11 (G-11) Note - also known as the Cartagena Group established - 22 June 1984, in Cartagena, Colombia aim - forum for largest debtor nations in Latin America members - (11) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela ********** Group of 15 (G-15)Group of 15 (G-15) Note - byproduct of the Non-Aligned Movement established - 1989 aim - to promote economic cooperation among developing nations; to act as the main political organ for the Non-Aligned Movement members - (15) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe ********** Group of 19 (G-19)Group of 19 (G-19) established - NA October 1975 aim - the less developed countries (LDCs) that participated in the Conference on International Economic Cooperation (CIEC) held in several sessions between NA December 1975 and 3 June 1977 members - (19) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia ********** Group of 24 (G-24)Group of 24 (G-24) established - NA January 1972 aim - to promote the interests of developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America within the IMF members - (24) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Iran, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire ********** Group of 30 (G-30)Group of 30 (G-30) established - NA 1979 aim - to discuss and propose solutions to the world's economic problems members - (30) informal group of 30 leading international bankers, economists, financial experts, and businessmen organized by Johannes Witteveen (former managing director of the IMF) ********** Group of 33 (G-33)Group of 33 (G-33) established - NA 1987 aim - to promote solutions to international economic problems members - (33) leading economists from 13 countries ********** Group of 77 (G-77)Group of 77 (G-77) established - NA October 1967 aim - to promote economic cooperation among developing countries; name persists in spite of increased membership members - (127 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, UAE, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization ********** Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Note - also known as the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf established - 25-26 May 1981 aim - to promote regional cooperation in economic, social, political, and military affairs members - (6) Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE ********** HabitatHabitat Note - see United Nations Center for Human Settlements (UNCHS) ********** Hexagonal GroupHexagonal Group Note - HG - the old Pentagonal Group plus one) established - July 1991 aim - to form an economic and political cooperation group for the region between the Adriatic and the Baltic Seas members - (6) Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Yugoslavia ********** high-income countrieshigh-income countries Note - another term for the industrialized countries with high per capita GNPs/GDPs; see developed countries (DCs) ********** industrial countriesindustrial countries Note - another term for the developed countries; see developed countries (DCs) ********** Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) Note - also known as Banco Interamericano de Desarvollo (BID) established - 8 April 1959 effective - 30 December 1959 aim - to promote economic and social development in Latin America members - (44) Argentina, Austria, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia ********** Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD)Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) established - NA January 1986 aim - to promote cooperation on drought-related matters members - (6) Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda ********** International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) established - 26 October 1956 effective - 29 July 1957 aim - to promote peaceful uses of atomic energy members - (115) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** International Bank for Economic Cooperation (IBEC)International Bank for Economic Cooperation (IBEC) Note - established in 22 October 1963; aim was to promote economic cooperation and development - members were Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam; now a Russian bank with a new charter ********** International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) Note - also known as the World Bank established - 22 July 1944 effective - 27 December 1945 aim - UN specialized agency that initially promoted economic rebuilding after World War II and now provides economic development loans members - (156) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Brunei, Cuba, Estonia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, San Marino, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; other members are Kiribati, Tonga ********** International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) established - NA 1919 aim - to promote free trade and private enterprise and to represent business interests at national and international levels members - (58 national councils) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire ********** International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) established - 7 December 1944 effective - 4 April 1947 aim - UN specialized agency to promote international cooperation in civil aviation members - (164) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Dominica, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Moldova, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Western Samoa; other members are Cook Islands, Kiribati, Monaco, Nauru, Switzerland, Tonga ********** International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) established - NA 1863 aim - to provide humanitarian aid in wartime members - (25 individuals) all Swiss nationals ********** International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) established - NA December 1949 aim - to promote the trade union movement members - (144 national organizations in the following 103 areas) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Basque Country, Belgium, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, The Gambia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, South Korea, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat, Morocco, Netherlands, New Caledonia, NZ, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Vatican City, Venezuela, Western Samoa ********** International Court of Justice (ICJ)International Court of Justice (ICJ) Note - also known as the World Court established - 26 June 1945 effective - 24 October 1945 aim - primary judicial organ of the UN members - (15 judges) elected by the General Assembly and Security Council to represent all principal legal systems ********** International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) established - 13 June 1956 aim - to promote international cooperation between criminal police authorities members - (152) Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** International Development Association (IDA)International Development Association (IDA) established - 26 January 1960 effective - 24 September 1960 aim - UN specialized agency and IBRD affiliate that provides economic loans for low income countries members - (136) Part I - (22 more economically advanced countries) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, UAE, UK, US members - Part II - (114 less developed nations) Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** International Energy Agency (IEA)International Energy Agency (IEA) established - 15 November 1974 aim - established by the OECD to promote cooperation on energy matters, especially emergency oil sharing and relations between oil consumers and oil producers members - (21) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US ********** International Finance Corporation (IFC)International Finance Corporation (IFC) established - 25 May 1955 effective - 20 July 1956 aim - UN specialized agency and IBRD affiliate that helps private enterprise sector in economic development members - (133) Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) established - NA November 1974 aim - UN specialized agency that promotes agricultural development members - (144) Category I - (21 industrialized aid contributors) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US members - Category II - (12 petroleum-exporting aid contributors) Algeria, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela members - Category III - (111 aid recipients) Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** International Investment Bank (IIB)International Investment Bank (IIB) Note - established on 7 July 1970; to promote economic development; members were Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam; now a Russian bank with a new charter ********** International Labor Organization (ILO)International Labor Organization (ILO) established - 11 April 1919 (affiliated with the UN 14 December 1946) aim - UN specialized agency concerned with world labor issues members - (150) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei, Croatia, Estonia, The Gambia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Federation of Micronesia, Moldova, Oman, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa; other member is Switzerland ********** International Maritime Organization (IMO)International Maritime Organization (IMO) Note - name changed from Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) on 22 May 1982 established - 17 March 1958 aim - UN specialized agency concerned with world maritime affairs members - (135) Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire associate members - (2) Hong Kong, Macao ********** International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT)International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT) established - 3 September 1976 effective - 26 July 1979 aim - to provide worldwide communications for maritime and other applications members - (63) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Liberia, Malaysia, Monaco, Mozambique, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Yugoslavia ********** International Monetary Fund (IMF)International Monetary Fund (IMF) established - 22 July 1944 effective - 27 December 1945 aim - UN specialized agency concerned with world monetary stability and economic development members - (156) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei, Croatia, Cuba, Estonia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Russia, San Marino, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; other members are Kiribati and Tonga ********** International Olympic Committee (IOC)International Olympic Committee (IOC) established - 23 June 1894 aim - to promote the Olympic ideals and administer the Olympic games: 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France (8-23 February); 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain (25 July-9 August); 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer; Norway (12-27 February); 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States (20 July-4 August); 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan (date NA) members - (167) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** International Organization for Migration (IOM) - established as Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) on 15 November 1952; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for Migration (ICM) in November 1980; current name adopted 14 November 1989 established - 5 December 1951 aim - to facilitate orderly international emigration and immigration members - (39) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Kenya, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, US, Uruguay, Venezuela observers - (25) Belize, Brazil, Cape Verde, Egypt, Finland, France, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, NZ, Pakistan, San Marino, Somalia, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Spain, Turkey, Uganda, UK, Vatican City, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** International Organization for Standardization (ISO)International Organization for Standardization (ISO) established - NA February 1947 aim - to promote the development of international standards members - (72 national standards organizations) Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, US, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yugoslavia correspondent members - (14) Bahrain, Barbados, Brunei, Guinea, Hong Kong, Iceland, Jordan, Kuwait, Malawi, Mauritius, Oman, Senegal, UAE, Uruguay ********** International Red Cross and Red Crescent MovementInternational Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement established - NA 1928 aim - to promote worldwide humanitarian aid through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in wartime, and League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LORCS) in peacetime members - (9) 2 representatives from ICRC, 2 from LORCS, and 5 from national societies elected by the international conference of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement ********** International Telecommunication Union (ITU)International Telecommunication Union (ITU) established - 9 December 1932 effective - 1 January 1934 affiliated with the UN - 15 November 1947 aim - UN specialized agency concerned with world telecommunications members - (164) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Dominica, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federation of Micronesia, Moldova, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; other members are Kiribati, Monaco, Nauru, Switzerland, Tonga, Vatican City ********** International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT)International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT) established - 20 August 1971 effective - 12 February 1973 aim - to develop and operate a global commercial telecommunications satellite system members - (118) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** Islamic Development Bank (IDB)Islamic Development Bank (IDB) established - 15 December 1973 aim - to promote Islamic economic aid and social development members - (43 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization ********** Latin American Economic System (LAES) - , also known as Sistema Economico Latinoamericana (SELA)Latin American Economic System (LAES) - , also known as Sistema Economico Latinoamericana (SELA) established - 17 October 1975 aim - to promote economic and social development through regional cooperation members - (26) Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela ********** Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) - , also known as Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI)Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) - , also known as Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI) established - 12 August 1980 effective - 18 March 1981 aim - to promote freer regional trade members - (11) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela ********** League of Arab States (LAS)League of Arab States (LAS) Note - see Arab League (AL) ********** League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LORCS)League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LORCS) established - 5 May 1919 aim - to provide humanitarian aid in peacetime members - (147) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe associate members - (2) Equatorial Guinea, Gabon ********** least developed countries (LLDCs)least developed countries (LLDCs) Note - that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) initially identified by the UN General Assembly in 1971 as having no significant economic growth, per capita GNPs/GDPs normally less than $500, and low literacy rates; also known as the undeveloped countries. The 41 LLDCs are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Yemen ********** less developed countries (LDCs)less developed countries (LDCs) Note - the bottom group in the comprehensive but mutually exclusive hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); mainly countries with low levels of output, living standards, and technology; per capita GNPs/GDPs are generally below $5,000 and often less than $1,000; however, the group also includes a number of countries with high per capita incomes, areas of advanced technology, and rapid rates of growth; includes the advanced developing countries, developing countries, Four Dragons (Four Tigers), least developed countries (LLDCs), low-income countries, middle-income countries, newly industrializing economies (NIEs), the South, Third World, underdeveloped countries, undeveloped countries. The 173 LDCs are: Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Gaza Strip, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Isle of Man, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau), Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western Sahara, Western Samoa, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** low-income countrieslow-income countries Note - another term for those less developed countries with below-average per capita GNPs/GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs) ********** middle-income countriesmiddle-income countries Note - another term for those less developed countries with above-average per capita GNPs/GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs) ********** Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) established - April 1987 aim - to arrest missile proliferation by controlling the export of key missile technologies and equipment members - (20) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US ********** newly industrializing countries (NICs)newly industrializing countries (NICs) Note - former term for the newly industrializing economies; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs) ********** newly industrializing economies (NIEs)newly industrializing economies (NIEs) Note - that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) that has experienced particularly rapid industrialization of their economies; formerly known as the newly industrializing countries (NICs); also known as advanced developing countries; usually includes the Four Dragons (Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan) plus Brazil and Mexico ********** Nonaligned Movement (NAM)Nonaligned Movement (NAM) established - 1-6 September 1961 aim - political and military cooperation apart from the traditional East or West blocs members - (101 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, UAE, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization observers - (9) Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Uruguay guests - (11) Australia, Austria, Dominican Republic, Finland, Greece, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland ********** Nordic Council (NC)Nordic Council (NC) established - 16 March 1952 effective - 12 February 1953 aim - to promote regional economic, cultural, and environmental cooperation members - (5) Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden; note - Denmark includes Faroe Islands and Greenland ********** Nordic Investment Bank (NIB)Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) established - 4 December 1975 effective - 1 June 1976 aim - to promote economic cooperation and development members - (5) Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden ********** NorthNorth Note - a popular term for the rich industrialized countries generally located in the northern portion of the Northern Hemisphere; the counterpart of the South; see developed countries (DCs) ********** North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC) - an extension of NATONorth Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC) - an extension of NATO established - 8 November 1991 effective - 20 December 1991 aim - to form a forum to discuss cooperation concerning mutual political and security issues members - (35) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan ********** North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established - 17 September 1949 aim - mutual defense and cooperation in other areas members - (16) Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK, US ********** Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) established - NA 1958 aim - associated with OECD, seeks to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy members - (23) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US ********** Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) Note - also known as the London Suppliers Group established - 1974 aim - to establish guidelines on exports of enrichment and processing plant assistance and nuclear exports to countries of proliferation concern and regions of conflict and instability members - (27) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US ********** Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares en la America Latina y el Caribe (OPANAL)Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares en la America Latina y el Caribe (OPANAL) Note - see Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) ********** Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) established - 14 December 1960, effective 30 September 1961 aim - to promote economic cooperation and development members - (24) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US special member - (1) Yugoslavia ********** Organization of African Unity (OAU)Organization of African Unity (OAU) established - 25 May 1963 aim - to promote unity and cooperation among African states members - (50) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** Organization of American States (OAS)Organization of American States (OAS) established - 30 April 1948 effective - 13 December 1951 aim - to promote peace and security as well as economic and social development members - (35) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (excluded from formal participation since 1962), Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, US, Uruguay, Venezuela observers - (25) Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Cyprus, EC, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Vatican City ********** Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC)Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) established - 9 January 1968 aim - to promote cooperation in the petroleum industry members - (11) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE ********** Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) established - 18 June 1981 effective - 4 July 1981 aim - to promote political, economic, and defense cooperation members - (8) Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ********** Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) established - 14 September 1960 aim - to coordinate petroleum policies members - (13) Algeria, Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela ********** Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) established - 22-25 September 1969 aim - to promote Islamic solidarity and cooperation in economic, social, cultural, and political affairs members - (47 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan (suspended), Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization observer - (1) Turkish-Cypriot administered area of Cyprus ********** Paris ClubParis Club Note - see Group of 10 ********** Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) established - NA 1899 aim - to facilitate the settlement of international disputes members - (75) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zimbabwe ********** Population CommissionPopulation Commission established - 3 October 1946 aim - ECOSOC organization dealing with population matters members - (27) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** Rio Group (RG)Rio Group (RG) established - NA 1988 aim - a consultation mechanism on regional Latin American issues members - (11) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela; note - Panama was expelled in 1988 ********** Second WorldSecond World Note - another term for the traditionally Marxist-Leninist states with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; the term is fading from use; see centrally planned economies ********** socialist countriessocialist countries Note - in general, countries in which the government owns and plans the use of the major factors of production; note - the term is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for Communist countries ********** SouthSouth Note - a popular term for the poorer, less industrialized countries generally located south of the developed countries; the counterpart of the North; see less developed countries (LDCs) ********** South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) established - 8 December 1985 aim - to promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation members - (7) Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka ********** South Pacific Commission (SPC)South Pacific Commission (SPC) established - 6 February 1947 effective - 29 July 1948 aim - to promote regional cooperation in economic and social matters members - (27) American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, NZ, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau), Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK, US, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Western Samoa ********** South Pacific Forum (SPF)South Pacific Forum (SPF) established - 5 August 1971 aim - to promote regional cooperation in political matters members - (15) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa observer - (1) Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau) ********** Southern African Customs Union (SACU)Southern African Customs Union (SACU) established - 11 December 1969 aim - to promote free trade and cooperation in customs matters members - (9) Bophuthatswana, Botswana, Ciskei, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Transkei, Venda ********** Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC)Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) established - 1 April 1980 aim - to promote regional economic development and reduce dependence on South Africa members - (10) Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** Southern Cone Common MarketSouthern Cone Common Market ********** (MERCOSUR)(MERCOSUR) established - 26 March 1991 aim - regional economic cooperation members - (4) Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay ********** Statistical CommissionStatistical Commission established - 21 June 1946 aim - ECOSOC organization dealing with development and standardization of national statistics members - (25) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** Third WorldThird World Note - another term for the less developed countries; the term is fading from use; see less developed countries (LDCs) ********** underdeveloped countriesunderdeveloped countries Note - refers to those less developed countries with the potential for above-average economic growth; see less developed countries (LDCs) ********** undeveloped countriesundeveloped countries Note - refers to those extremely poor less developed countries (LDCs) with little prospect for economic growth; see least developed countries (LLDCs) ********** Union Douaniere et Economique de l'Afrique Centrale (UDEAC)Union Douaniere et Economique de l'Afrique Centrale (UDEAC) Note - see Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC) ********** United Nations (UN)United Nations (UN) established - 26 June 1945 effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to maintain international peace and security as well as promote cooperation involving economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems members - (178) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note - all UN members are represented in the General Assembly observers - (3 and the Palestine Liberation Organization) Monaco, Switzerland, Vatican City, Palestine Liberation Organization ********** United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM) established - 20 December 1988 aim - established by the UN Security Council to verify the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola members - (10) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Congo, Czechoslovakia, India, Jordan, Norway, Spain, Yugoslavia ********** United Nations Center for Human Settlements (UNCHS or Habitat) established - 12 October 1978 aim - to assist in solving human settlement problems members - (88) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Note - acronym retained from the predecessor organization UN International Children's Emergency Fund established - 11 December 1946 aim - to help establish child health and welfare services members - (41) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) established - 30 December 1964 aim - to promote international trade members - (181) all UN members plus Monaco, Switzerland, Tonga, Vatican City ********** United Nations Development Program (UNDP) established - 22 November 1965 aim - to provide technical assistance to stimulate economic and social development members - (48) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) established - 31 May 1974 aim - established by the UN Security Council to observe the 1973 Arab-Israeli ceasefire members - (4) Austria, Canada, Finland, Poland ********** United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established - 16 November 1945 effective - 4 November 1946 aim - to promote cooperation in education, science, and culture members - (159) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei, Croatia, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, UK, US, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu; other members are Cook Islands, Kiribati, Monaco, Switzerland, Tonga associate members - (3) Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Netherlands Antilles ********** United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) established - 15 December 1972 aim - to promote international cooperation on all environmental matters members - (58) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) established - 4 March 1964 aim - established by the UN Security Council to serve as a peacekeeping force beween Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus members - (8) Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, UK ********** United Nations General Assembly established - 26 June 1945 effective - 24 October 1945 aim - primary deliberative organ in the UN members - (178) all UN members are represented in the General Assembly ********** United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) established - 17 November 1966 effective - 1 January 1967 aim - UN specialized agency that promotes industrial development especially among the members members - (150) all UN members except Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Chad, Croatia, Djibouti, Estonia, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Western Samoa; other members are Switzerland, Tonga ********** United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) established - 19 March 1978 aim - established by the UN Security Council to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restore peace, and reestablish Lebanese authority in southern Lebanon members - (9) Fiji, Finland, France, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Nepal, Norway, Sweden ********** United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG) established - 9 August 1988 aim - established by the UN Security Council to observe the 1988 Iran-Iraq ceasefire members - (25) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Senegal, Sweden, Turkey, Uruguay, Yugoslavia, Zambia ********** United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) established - 13 August 1948 aim - established by the UN Security Council to observe the 1949 India-Pakistan ceasefire members - (8) Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Uruguay ********** United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) established - 3 December 1949 effective - 1 January 1951 aim - to try to ensure the humanitarian treatment of refugees and find permanent solutions to refugee problems members - (43) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Vatican City, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire ********** United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Note - acronym retained from predecessor organization UN Fund for Population Activities established - NA July 1967 aim - to promote assistance in dealing with population problems members - (51) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) established - 8 December 1949 aim - to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees members - (10) Belgium, Egypt, France, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, UK, US ********** United Nations Secretariat established - 26 June 1945 effective - 24 October 1945 aim - primary administrative organ of the UN members - Secretary General appointed for a five-year term by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council ********** United Nations Security Council established - 26 June 1945 effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to maintain international peace and security permanent members - (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US nonpermanent members - (10) elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly; Austria (1991-92), Belgium (1991-92), Cuba (1990-91), Ecuador (1991-92), India (1991-92), Ivory Coast (1990- 91), Romania (1990-91), Yemen (1990-91), Zaire (1990-91), Zimbabwe (1991-92) ********** United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) established - NA May 1948 aim - initially established by the UN Security Council to supervise the 1948 Arab-Israeli ceasefire and subsequently extended to work in the Sinai, Lebanon, Jordan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan members - (19) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, US ********** United Nations Trusteeship Council established - 26 June 1945 effective - 24 October 1945 aim - to supervise the administration of the UN trust territories; only one of the original 11 trusteeships remains - the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau) members - (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US ********** Universal Postal Union (UPU) established - 9 October 1874, affiliated with the UN 15 November 1947 effective - 1 July 1948 aim - UN specialized agency that promotes international postal cooperation members - (168) all UN members except Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Namibia, Slovenia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; other members are Kiribati, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands Antilles, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK Overseas Territories, Vatican City ********** Warsaw Pact (WP) Note - was established 14 May 1955 to promote mutual defense; members met 1 July 1991 to dissolve the alliance; member states were Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the USSR ********** West African Development Bank (WADB) Note - also known as Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement (BOAD) established - 14 November 1973 aim - to promote economic development and integration members - (7) Benin, Burkina, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo ********** West African Economic Community (CEAO) Note - acronym from Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest established - 3 June 1972 aim - to promote regional economic development members - (7) Benin, Burkina, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal observer - (1) Togo ********** Western European Union (WEU) established - 23 October 1954 effective - 6 May 1955 aim - mutual defense and progressive political unification members - (10) Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK ********** World Bank

see International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) ********** World Bank Group Note - includes International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), and International Finance Corporation (IFC) ********** World Confederation of Labor (WCL) established - 19 June 1920 as the International Federation of Christian Trade Unions (IFCTU), renamed 4 October 1968 aim - to promote the trade union movement members - (96 national organizations) Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bonaire Island, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, French Guiana, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guadaloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** World Court

see International Court of Justice (ICJ) ********** World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) established - NA 1945 aim - to promote the trade union movement members - (67) Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, The Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, North Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mongolia, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zaire ********** World Food Council (WFC) established - 17 December 1974 aim - ECOSOC organization that studies world food problems and recommends solutions members - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** World Food Program (WFP) established - 24 November 1961 aim - ECOSOC organization that provides food aid to assist in development or disaster relief members - (30) selected on a rotating basis from all regions ********** World Health Organization (WHO) established - 22 July 1946 effective - 7 April 1948 aim - UN specialized agency concerned with health matters members - (164) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belize, Bosnia and Hercegovina, China, Croatia, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; other members are Cook Islands, Kiribati, Monaco, Switzerland, Tonga ********** World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) established - 14 July 1967 effective - 26 April 1970 aim - UN specialized agency concerned with the protection of literary, artistic, and scientific works members - (125) Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe ********** World Meteorological Organization (WMO) established - 11 October 1947 effective - 4 April 1951 aim - specialized UN agency concerned with meteorological cooperation members - (162) all UN members except Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Grenada, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Moldova, Namibia, Poland, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Western Samoa; South Africa is included although WMO membership is suspended; other members are British Caribbean Territories, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, Slovenia, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Switzerland ********** World Tourism Organization (WTO) established - 2 January 1975 aim - promote tourism as a means of contributing to economic development, international understanding, and peace members - (102) Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe associate members - (4) Aruba, Macau, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico permanent observer - (1) Vatican City ********** Zangger Committee (ZC) established - early 1970s aim - to establish guidelines for the export control provisions of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty members - (23) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US Appendix D: Weights and Measures Mathematical Notation Mathematical Power Name 10^18 or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 one quintillion 10^15 or 1,000,000,000,000,000 one quadrillion 10^12 or 1,000,000,000,000 one trillion 10^9 or 1,000,000,000 one billion 10^6 or 1,000,000 one million 10^3 or 1,000 one thousand 10^2 or 100 one hundred 10^1 or 10 ten 10^0 or 1 one 10^-1 or 0.1 one tenth 10^-2 or 0.01 one hundredth 10^-3 or 0.001 one thousandth 10^-6 or 0.000 001 one millionth 10^-9 or 0.000 000 001 one billionth 10^-12 or 0.000 000 000 001 one trillionth 10^-15 or 0.000 000 000 000 001 one quadrillionth 10^-18 or 0.000 000 000 000 000 001 one quintillionth Metric Interrelationships Conversions from a multiple or submultiple to the basic units of meters, liters, or grams can be done using the table. For example, to convert from kilometers to meters, multiply by 1,000 (9.26 kilometers equals 9,260 meters) or to convert from meters to kilometers, multiply by 0.001 (9,260 meters equals 9.26 kilometers) Prefix Symbol Length, Area Volume weight, capacity exa E 10^18 10^36 10^54 peta P 10^15 10^30 10^45 tera T 10^12 10^24 10^36 giga G 10^9 10^18 10^27 mega M 10^6 10^12 10^18 hectokilo hk 10^5 10^10 10^15 myria ma 10^4 10^8 10^12 kilo k 10^3 10^6 10^9 hecto h 10^2 10^4 10^6 basic unit - 1 meter, 1 meter^2 1 meter^3 1 gram, 1 liter deci d 10^-1 10^-2 10^-3 centi c 10^-2 10^-4 10^-6 milli m 10^-3 10^-6 10^-9 decimilli dm 10^-4 10^-8 10^-12 centimilli cm 10^-5 10^-10 10^-15 micro u 10^-6 10^-12 10^-18 nano n 10^-9 10^-18 10^-27 pico p 10^-12 10^-24 10^-36 femto f 10^-15 10^-30 10^-45 atto a 10^-18 10^-36 10^-54 Equivalents Unit Metric Equivalent US Equivalent acre 0.404 685 64 hectares 43,560 feet^2 acre 4,046,856 4 meters^2 4,840 yards^2 acre 0.004 046 856 4 0.001 562 5 miles^2, kilometers^2 statute are 100 meters^2 119.599 yards^2 barrel (petroleum, US) 158.987 29 liters 42 gallons barrel (proof spirits, 151.416 47 liters 40 gallons US) barrel (beer, US) 117.347 77 liters 31 gallons bushel 35.239 07 liters 4 pecks cable 219.456 meters 120 fathoms chain (surveyor's) 20.116 8 meters 66 feet cord (wood) 3.624 556 meters^3 128 feet^3 cup 0.236 588 2 liters 8 ounces, liquid (US) degrees, celsius (water boils at 100. multiply by 1.8 and add degrees C, freezes at 0. C) 32 to obtain .F degrees, fahrenheit subtract 32 and divide by (water boils at 212 .F, 1.8 to obtain .C freezes at 32 .F) dram, avoirdupois 1.771 845 2 grams 0.062 5 ounces, avoirdupois dram, troy 3.887 934 6 grams 0.125 ounces, troy dram, liquid (US) 3.696 69 milliliters 0.125 ounces, liquid fathom 1.828 8 meters 6 feet foot 30.48 centimeters foot 0.304 8 meters 0.333 333 3 yards foot 0.000 304 8 kilometers 0.000 189 39 miles, statute foot^2 929.030 4 centimeters^2 144 inches^2 foot 2 0.092 903 04 meters^2 0.111 111 1 yards^2 foot^3 28.316 846 592 liters 7.480 519 gallons foot^3 0.028 316 847 meters^3 1,728 inches^3 furlong 201.168 meters 220 yards gallon, liquid (US) 3.785 411 784 liters 4 quarts, liquid gill (US) 118.294 118 milliliters 4 ounces, liquid grain 64.798 91 milligrams 0.002 285 71 ounces, advp. gram 1,000 milligrams 0.035 273 96 ounces, advp. hand (height of horse) 10.16 centimeters 4 inches hectare 10,000 meters^2 2.471 053 8 acres hundredweight, long 50.802 345 kilograms 112 pounds, avoirdupois hundredweight, short 45.359 237 kilograms 100 pounds, avoirdupois inch 2.54 centimeters 0.083 333 33 feet inch2 6.451 6 centimeters^2 0.006 944 44 feet^2 inch3 16.387 064 centimeters^3 0.000 578 7 feet^3 inch3 16.387 064 milliliters 0.029 761 6 pints, dry inch3 16.387 064 milliliters 0.034 632 0 pints, liquid kilogram 0.001 tons, metric 2.204 623 pounds, avoirdupois kilometer 1,000 meters 0.621 371 19 miles, statute kilometer^2 100 hectares 247.105 38 acres kilometer^2 1,000,000 meters^2 0.386 102 16 miles^2, statute knot (1 nautical 1.852 kilometers/hour 1.151 statute miles/hour mi/hr) league, nautical 5.559 552 kilometers 3 miles, nautical league, statute 4.828.032 kilometers 3 miles, statute link (surveyor's) 20.116 8 centimeters 7.92 inches liter 0.001 meters^3 61.023 74 inches^3 liter 0.1 dekaliter 0.908 083 quarts, dry liter 1,000 milliliters 1.056 688 quarts, liquid meter 100 centimeters 1.093 613 yards meter^2 10,000 centimeters^2 1.195 990 yards^2 meter^3 1,000 liters 1.307 951 yards^3 micron 0.000 001 meter 0.000 039 4 inches mil 0.025 4 millimeters 0.001 inch mile, nautical 1.852 kilometers 1.150 779 4 miles, statute mile^2, nautical 3.429 904 kilometers^2 1.325 miles^2, statute mile, statute 1.609 344 kilometers 5,280 feet or 8 furlongs mile^2, statute 258.998 811 hectares 640 acres or 1 section mile^2, statute 2.589 988 11 kilometers^2 0.755 miles^2, nautical minim (US) 0.061 611 52 milliliters 0.002 083 33 ounces, liquid ounce, avoirdupois 28.349 523 125 grams 437.5 grains ounce, liquid (US) 29.573 53 milliliters 0.062 5 pints, liquid ounce, troy 31.103 476 8 grams 480 grains pace 76.2 centimeters 30 inches peck 8.809 767 5 liters 8 quarts, dry pennyweight 1.555 173 84 grams 24 grains pint, dry (US) 0.550 610 47 liters 0.5 quarts, dry pint, liquid (US) 0.473 176 473 liters 0.5 quarts, liquid point (typographical) 0.351 459 8 millimeters 0.013 837 inches pound, avoirdupois 453.592 37 grams 16 ounces, avourdupois pound, troy 373.241 721 6 grams 12 ounces, troy quart, dry (US) 1.101 221 liters 2 pints, dry quart, liquid (US) 0.946 352 946 liters 2 pints, liquid quintal 100 kilograms 220.462 26 pounds, avdp. rod 5.029 2 meters 5.5 yards scruple 1.295 978 2 grams 20 grains section (US) 2.589 988 1 kilometers^2 1 mile2, statute or 640 acres span 22.86 centimeters 9 inches stere 1 meter3 1.307 95 yards^3 tablespoon 14.786 76 milliliters 3 teaspoons teaspoon 4.928 922 milliliters 0.333 333 tablespoons ton, long or 1,016.046 909 kilograms 2,240 pounds, avoirdupois deadweight ton, metric 1,000 kilograms 2,204.623 pounds, avoirdupois ton, metric 1,000 kilograms 32,150.75 ounces, troy ton, register 2.831 684 7 meters^3 100 feet^3 ton, short 907.184 74 kilograms 2,000 pounds, avoirdupois township (US) 93.239 572 kilometers^2 36 miles^2, statute yard 0.914 4 meters 3 feet yard^2 0.836 127 36 meters^2 9 feet^2 yard^3 0.764 554 86 meters^3 27 feet^3 yard^3 764.554 857 984 liters 201.974 gallons ********** Appendix E Cross-Reference List of Geographic NamesAppendix E Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names This list indicates where various names including all United States Foreign Service Posts, alternate names, former names, and political or geographical portions of larger entities can be found in The World Factbook. Spellings are not necessarily those approved by the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Alternate names are included in parentheses; additional information is included in brackets. Name Entry in The World Factbook Abidjan [US Embassy] Ivory Coast Abu Dhabi [US Embassy] United Arab Emirates Acapulco [US Consular Agency] Mexico Accra [US Embassy] Ghana Adana [US Consulate] Turkey Addis Ababa [US Embassy] Ethiopia Adelaide [US Consular Agency] Australia Adelie Land (Terre Adelie) Antarctica [claimed by France] Aden Yemen Aden, Gulf of Indian Ocean Admiralty Islands Papua New Guinea Adriatic Sea Atlantic Ocean Aegean Islands Greece Aegean Sea Atlantic Ocean Afars and Issas, French Djibouti Territory of the (F.T.A.I.) Agalega Islands Mauritius Aland Islands Finland Alaska United States Alaska, Gulf of Pacific Ocean Aldabra Islands Seychelles Alderney Guernsey Aleutian Islands United States Alexander Island Antarctica Alexandria [US Consulate General] Egypt Algiers [US Embassy] Algeria Alhucemas, Penon de Spain Alma-Ata Kazakhstan Alphonse Island Seychelles Amami Strait Pacific Ocean Amindivi Islands India Amirante Isles Seychelles Amman [US Embassy] Jordan Amsterdam [US Consulate General] Netherlands Amsterdam Island (Ile Amsterdam) French Southern and Antarctic Lands Amundsen Sea Pacific Ocean Amur China; Russia Andaman Islands India Andaman Sea Indian Ocean Anegada Passage Atlantic Ocean Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Sudan Anjouan Comoros Ankara [US Embassy] Turkey Annobon Equatorial Guinea Antananarivo [US Embassy] Madagascar Antipodes Islands New Zealand Antwerp [US Consulate General] Belgium Aozou Strip [claimed by Libya] Chad Aqaba, Gulf of Indian Ocean Arabian Sea Indian Ocean Arafura Sea Pacific Ocean Argun China; Russia Ascension Island Saint Helena Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) Turkmenistan Ashkhabad [Interim Chancery] Turkmenistan Assumption Island Seychelles Asuncion [US Embassy] Paraguay Asuncion Island Northern Mariana Islands Atacama Chile Athens [US Embassy] Greece Attu United States Auckland [US Consulate General] New Zealand Auckland Islands New Zealand Australes Iles (Iles Tubuai) French Polynesia Axel Heiberg Island Canada Azores Portugal Azov, Sea of Atlantic Ocean Bab el Mandeb Indian Ocean Babuyan Channel Pacific Ocean Babuyan Islands Philippines Baffin Bay Arctic Ocean Baffin Island Canada Baghdad Iraq Baku Azerbaijan Baky (Baku) Azerbaijan Balabac Strait Pacific Ocean Balearic Islands Spain Balearic Sea (Iberian Sea) Atlantic Ocean Bali [US Consular Agency] Indonesia Bali Sea Indian Ocean Balintang Channel Pacific Ocean Balintang Islands Philippines Balleny Islands Antarctica Balochistan Pakistan Baltic Sea Atlantic Ocean Bamako [US Embassy] Mali Banaba (Ocean Island) Kiribati Bandar Seri Begawan [US Embassy] Brunei Banda Sea Pacific Ocean Bangkok [US Embassy] Thailand Bangui [US Embassy] Central African Republic Banjul [US Embassy] Gambia, The Banks Island Canada Banks Islands (Iles Banks) Vanuatu Barcelona [US Consulate General] Spain Barents Sea Arctic Ocean Barranquilla [US Consulate] Colombia Bashi Channel Pacific Ocean Basilan Strait Pacific Ocean Bass Strait Indian Ocean Batan Islands Philippines Bavaria (Bayern) Germany Beagle Channel Atlantic Ocean Bear Island (Bjornoya) Svalbard Beaufort Sea Arctic Ocean Bechuanaland Botswana Beijing [US Embassy] China Beirut [US Embassy] Lebanon Belau Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau) Belem [US Consular Agency] Brazil Belep Islands (Iles Belep) New Caledonia Belfast [US Consulate General] United Kingdom Belgian Congo Zaire Belgrade [US Embassy] Yugoslavia Belize City [US Embassy] Belize Belle Isle, Strait of Atlantic Ocean Bellinghausen Sea Pacific Ocean Belmopan Belize Belorussia Belarus Bengal, Bay of Indian Ocean Bering Sea Pacific Ocean Bering Strait Pacific Ocean Berkner Island Antarctica Berlin [US Branch Office] Germany Berlin, East Germany Berlin, West Germany Bern [US Embassy] Switzerland Bessarabia Romania; Moldova Bijagos, Arquipelago dos Guinea-Bissau Bikini Atoll Marshall Islands Bilbao [US Consulate] Spain Bioko Equatorial Guinea Biscay, Bay of Atlantic Ocean Bishbek [Interim Chancery] Kyrgyzstan Bishop Rock United Kingdom Bismarck Archipelago Papua New Guinea Bismarck Sea Pacific Ocean Bissau [US Embassy] Guinea-Bissau Bjornoya (Bear Island) Svalbard Black Rock Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Black Sea Atlantic Ocean Boa Vista Cape Verde Bogota [US Embassy] Colombia Bombay [US Consulate General] India Bonaire Netherlands Antilles Bonifacio, Strait of Atlantic Ocean Bonin Islands Japan Bonn [US Embassy] Germany Bophuthatswana South Africa Bora-Bora French Polynesia Bordeaux [US Consulate General] France Borneo Brunei; Indonesia; Malaysia Bornholm Denmark Bosporus Atlantic Ocean Bothnia, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean Bougainville Island Papua New Guinea Bougainville Strait Pacific Ocean Bounty Islands New Zealand Brasilia [US Embassy] Brazil Brazzaville [US Embassy] Congo Bridgetown [US Embassy] Barbados Brisbane [US Consulate] Australia British East Africa Kenya British Guiana Guyana British Honduras Belize British Solomon Islands Solomon Islands British Somaliland Somalia Brussels [US Embassy, US Mission Belgium to European Communities, US Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (USNATO)] Bucharest [US Embassy] Romania Budapest [US Embassy] Hungary Buenos Aires [US Embassy] Argentina Bujumbura [US Embassy] Burundi Byelorussia Belarus Cabinda Angola Cabot Strait Atlantic Ocean Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos Islands Cairo [US Embassy] Egypt Calcutta [US Consulate General] India Calgary [US Consulate General] Canada California, Gulf of Pacific Ocean Campbell Island New Zealand Canal Zone Panama Canary Islands Spain Canberra [US Embassy] Australia Cancun [US Consular Agency] Mexico Canton (Guangzhou) China Canton Island Kiribati Cape Town [US Consulate General] South Africa Caracas [US Embassy] Venezuela Cargados Carajos Shoals Mauritius Caroline Islands Micronesia, Federated States of; Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Caribbean Sea Atlantic Ocean Carpentaria, Gulf of Pacific Ocean Casablanca [US Consulate General] Morocco Cato Island Australia Cebu [US Consulate] Philippines Celebes Indonesia Celebes Sea Pacific Ocean Celtic Sea Atlantic Ocean Central African Empire Central African Republic Ceuta Spain Ceylon Sri Lanka Chafarinas, Islas Spain Chagos Archipelago (Oil Islands) British Indian Ocean Territory Channel Islands Guernsey; Jersey Chatham Islands New Zealand Cheju-do Korea, South Cheju Strait Pacific Ocean Chengdu [US Consulate General] China Chesterfield Islands New Caledonia (Iles Chesterfield) Chiang Mai [US Consulate General] Thailand Chihli, Gulf of (Bo Hai) Pacific Ocean China, People's Republic of China China, Republic of Taiwan Choiseul Solomon Islands Christchurch [US Consular Agency] New Zealand Christmas Island [Indian Ocean] Australia Christmas Island [Pacific Ocean] Kiribati (Kiritimati) Chukchi Sea Arctic Ocean Ciskei South Africa Ciudad Juarez [US Consulate Mexico General] Cochabamba [US Consular Agency] Bolivia Coco, Isla del Costa Rica Cocos Islands Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombo [US Embassy] Sri Lanka Colon [US Consular Agency] Panama Colon, Archipielago de Ecuador (Galapagos Islands) Commander Islands Russia (Komandorskiye Ostrova) Conakry [US Embassy] Guinea Congo (Brazzaville) Congo Congo (Kinshasa) Zaire Congo (Leopoldville) Zaire Con Son Islands Vietnam Cook Strait Pacific Ocean Copenhagen [US Embassy] Denmark Coral Sea Pacific Ocean Corn Islands (Islas del Maiz) Nicaragua Corsica France Cosmoledo Group Seychelles Cote d'Ivoire Ivory Coast Cotonou [US Embassy] Benin Crete Greece Crooked Island Passage Atlantic Ocean Crozet Islands (Iles Crozet) French Southern and Antarctic Lands Curacao [US Consulate General] Netherlands Antilles Cusco [US Consular Agency] Peru Dahomey Benin Daito Islands Japan Dakar [US Embassy] Senegal Daman (Damao) India Damascus [US Embassy] Syria Danger Atoll Cook Islands Danish Straits Atlantic Ocean Danzig (Gdansk) Poland Dao Bach Long Vi Vietnam Dardanelles Atlantic Ocean Dar es Salaam [US Embassy] Tanzania Davis Strait Atlantic Ocean Deception Island Antarctica Denmark Strait Atlantic Ocean D'Entrecasteaux Islands Papua New Guinea Devon Island Canada Dhahran [US Consulate General] Saudi Arabia Dhaka [US Embassy] Bangladesh Diego Garcia British Indian Ocean Territory Diego Ramirez Chile Diomede Islands Russia [Big Diomede]; United States [Little Diomede] Diu India Djibouti [US Embassy] Djibouti Dodecanese Greece Doha [US Embassy] Qatar Douala [US Consulate General] Cameroon Dover, Strait of Atlantic Ocean Drake Passage Atlantic Ocean Dubai [US Consulate General] United Arab Emirates Dublin [US Embassy] Ireland Durango [US Consular Agency] Mexico Durban [US Consulate General] South Africa Dushanbe Tajikistan Dusseldorf [US Consulate General] Germany Dutch East Indies Indonesia Dutch Guiana Suriname East China Sea Pacific Ocean Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) Chile Eastern Channel (East Korea Pacific Ocean Strait or Tsushima Strait) East Germany (German Democratic Germany Republic) East Korea Strait (Eastern Pacific Ocean Channel or Tsushima Strait) East Pakistan Bangladesh East Siberian Sea Arctic Ocean East Timor (Portuguese Timor) Indonesia Edinburgh [US Consulate General] United Kingdom Elba Italy Ellef Ringnes Island Canada Ellesmere Island Canada Ellice Islands Tuvalu Elobey, Islas de Equatorial Guinea Enderbury Island Kiribati Enewetak Atoll (Eniwetok Atoll) Marshall Islands England United Kingdom English Channel Atlantic Ocean Eniwetok Atoll Marshall Islands Epirus, Northern Albania; Greece Eritrea Ethiopia Essequibo [claimed by Venezuela] Guyana Etorofu Russia[de facto] Farquhar Group Seychelles Fernando de Noronha Brazil Fernando Po (Bioko) Equatorial Guinea Finland, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean Florence [US Consulate General] Italy Florida, Straits of Atlantic Ocean Formosa Taiwan Formosa Strait (Taiwan Strait) Pacific Ocean Fort-de-France Martinique [US Consulate General] Frankfurt am Main Germany [US Consulate General] Franz Josef Land Russia Freetown [US Embassy] Sierra Leone French Cameroon Cameroon French Indochina Cambodia; Laos; Vietnam French Guinea Guinea French Sudan Mali French Territory of the Afars Djibouti and Issas (F.T.A.I.) French Togo Togo Friendly Islands Tonga Frunze (Bishkek) Kyrgyzstan Fukuoka [US Consulate] Japan Funchal [US Consular Agency] Portugal Fundy, Bay of Atlantic Ocean Futuna Islands (Hoorn Islands) Wallis and Futuna Gaborone [US Embassy] Botswana Galapagos Islands (Archipielago Ecuador de Colon) Galleons Passage Atlantic Ocean Gambier Islands (Iles Gambier) French Polynesia Gaspar Strait Indian Ocean Geneva [Branch Office of the US Switzerland Embassy, US Mission to European Office of the UN and Other International Organizations] Genoa [US Consulate General] Italy George Town [US Consular Agency] Cayman Islands Georgetown [US Embassy] Guyana German Democratic Republic Germany (East Germany) German Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) Gibraltar, Strait of Atlantic Ocean Gilbert Islands Kiribati Goa India Gold Coast Ghana Golan Heights Syria Good Hope, Cape of South Africa Goteborg [US Consulate General] Sweden Gotland Sweden Gough Island Saint Helena Grand Banks Atlantic Ocean Grand Cayman Cayman Islands Grand Turk [US Consular Agency] Turks and Caicos Islands Great Australian Bight Indian Ocean Great Belt (Store Baelt) Atlantic Ocean Great Britain United Kingdom Great Channel Indian Ocean Greater Sunda Islands Brunei; Indonesia; Malaysia Green Islands Papua New Guinea Greenland Sea Arctic Ocean Grenadines, Northern Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Grenadines, Southern Grenada Guadalajara Mexico [US Consulate General] Guadalcanal Solomon Islands Guadalupe, Isla de Mexico Guangzhou [US Consulate General] China Guantanamo [US Naval Base] Cuba Guatemala [US Embassy] Guatemala Gubal, Strait of Indian Ocean Guinea, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean Guayaquil [US Consulate General] Ecuador Ha'apai Group Tonga Habomai Islands Russia[de facto] Hague,The [US Embassy] Netherlands Haifa [US Consular Agency] Israel Hainan Dao China Halifax [US Consulate General] Canada Halmahera Indonesia Hamburg [US Consulate General] Germany Hamilton [US Consulate General] Bermuda Hanoi Vietnam Harare [US Embassy] Zimbabwe Hatay Turkey Havana [US post not maintained, Cuba representation by US Interests Section (USINT) of the Swiss Embassy] Hawaii United States Heard Island Heard Island and McDonald Islands Helsinki [US Embassy] Finland Hermosillo [US Consulate] Mexico Hispaniola Dominican Republic; Haiti Hokkaido Japan Holy See, The Vatican City Hong Kong [US Consulate General] Hong Kong Honiara [US Consulate] Solomon Islands Honshu Japan Hormuz, Strait of Indian Ocean Horn, Cape (Cabo de Hornos) Chile Horne, Iles de Wallis and Futuna Horn of Africa Ethiopia; Somalia Hudson Bay Arctic Ocean Hudson Strait Arctic Ocean Inaccessible Island Saint Helena Indochina Cambodia; Laos; Vietnam Inner Mongolia (Nei Mongol) China Ionian Islands Greece Ionian Sea Atlantic Ocean Irian Jaya Indonesia Irish Sea Atlantic Ocean Islamabad [US Embassy] Pakistan Islas Malvinas Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Istanbul [US Consulate General] Turkey Italian Somaliland Somalia Iwo Jima Japan Izmir [US Consulate General] Turkey Jakarta [US Embassy] Indonesia Japan, Sea of Pacific Ocean Java Indonesia Java Sea Indian Ocean Jeddah [US Consulate General] Saudi Arabia Jerusalem [US Consulate General] Israel; West Bank Johannesburg South Africa [US Consulate General] Juan de Fuca, Strait of Pacific Ocean Juan Fernandez, Isla de Chile Juventud, Isla de la Cuba (Isle of Youth) Kabul [US Embassy now closed] Afghanistan Kaduna [US Consulate General] Nigeria Kalimantan Indonesia Kamchatka Peninsula Russia (Poluostrov Kamchatka) Kampala [US Embassy] Uganda Kampuchea Cambodia Karachi [US Consulate General] Pakistan Kara Sea Arctic Ocean Karimata Strait Indian Ocean Kathmandu [US Embassy] Nepal Kattegat Atlantic Ocean Kauai Channel Pacific Ocean Keeling Islands Cocos (Keeling) Islands Kerguelen, Iles French Southern and Antarctic Lands Kermadec Islands New Zealand Khabarovsk Russia Khartoum [US Embassy] Sudan Khmer Republic Cambodia Khuriya Muriya Islands Oman (Kuria Muria Islands) Khyber Pass Pakistan Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee Kanal) Atlantic Ocean Kiev [Chancery] Ukraine Kigali [US Embassy] Rwanda Kingston [US Embassy] Jamaica Kinshasa [US Embassy] Zaire Kirghiziya Kyrgyzstan Kiritimati (Christmas Island) Kiribati Kishinev (Chicsinau) Moldova Kithira Strait Atlantic Ocean Kodiak Island United States Kola Peninsula Russia (Kol'skiy Poluostrov) Kolonia [US Special Office] Micronesia, Federated States of Korea Bay Pacific Ocean Korea, Democratic People's Korea, North Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, South Korea Strait Pacific Ocean Koror [US Special Office] Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of Kosovo Yugoslavia Kowloon Hong Kong Krakow [US Consulate] Poland Kuala Lumpur [US Embassy] Malaysia Kunashiri (Kunashir) Russia [de facto] Kuril Islands Russia [de facto] Kuwait [US Embassy] Kuwait Kwajalein Atoll Marshall Islands Kyushu Japan Kyyiv (Kiev) Ukraine Labrador Canada Laccadive Islands India Laccadive Sea Indian Ocean La Coruna [US Consular Agency] Spain Lagos [US Embassy] Nigeria Lahore [US Consulate General] Pakistan Lakshadweep India La Paz [US Embassy] Bolivia La Perouse Strait Pacific Ocean Laptev Sea Arctic Ocean Las Palmas [US Consular Agency] Spain Lau Group Fiji Leningrad see Saint Petersburg Russia [US Consulate General] Lesser Sunda Islands Indonesia Leyte Philippines Liancourt Rocks Korea, South [claimed by Japan] Libreville [US Embassy] Gabon Ligurian Sea Atlantic Ocean Lilongwe [US Embassy] Malawi Lima [US Embassy] Peru Lincoln Sea Arctic Ocean Line Islands Kiribati; Palmyra Atoll Lisbon [US Embassy] Portugal Lombok Strait Indian Ocean Lome [US Embassy] Togo London [US Embassy] United Kingdom Lord Howe Island Australia Louisiade Archipelago Papua New Guinea Loyalty Islands (Iles Loyaute) New Caledonia Lubumbashi [US Consulate General] Zaire Lusaka [US Embassy] Zambia Luxembourg [US Embassy] Luxembourg Luzon Philippines Luzon Strait Pacific Ocean Lyon [US Consulate General] France Macao Macau Macedonia Bulgaria Macquarie Island Australia Madeira Islands Portugal Madras [US Consulate General] India Madrid [US Embassy] Spain Magellan, Strait of Atlantic Ocean Maghreb Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia Mahe Island Seychelles Maiz, Islas del (Corn Islands) Nicaragua Majorca (Mallorca) Spain Majuro [US Special Office] Marshall Islands Makassar Strait Pacific Ocean Malabo [US Embassy] Equatorial Guinea Malacca, Strait of Indian Ocean Malaga [US Consular Agency] Spain Malagasy Republic Madagascar Male [US post not maintained, Maldives representation from Colombo, Sri Lanka] Mallorca (Majorca) Spain Malpelo, Isla de Colombia Malta Channel Atlantic Ocean Malvinas, Islas Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Managua [US Embassy] Nicaragua Manama [US Embassy] Bahrain Manaus [US Consular Agency] Brazil Manchukuo China Manchuria China Manila [US Embassy] Philippines Manipa Strait Pacific Ocean Mannar, Gulf of Indian Ocean Manua Islands American Samoa Maputo [US Embassy] Mozambique Maracaibo [US Consulate] Venezuela Marcus Island (Minami-tori-shima) Japan Mariana Islands Guam; Northern Mariana Islands Marion Island South Africa Marmara, Sea of Atlantic Ocean Marquesas Islands French Polynesia (Iles Marquises) Marseille [US Consulate General] France Martin Vaz, Ilhas Brazil Mas a Tierra Chile (Robinson Crusoe Island) Mascarene Islands Mauritius; Reunion Maseru [US Embassy] Lesotho Matamoros [US Consulate] Mexico Mazatlan [US Consulate] Mexico Mbabane [US Embassy] Swaziland McDonald Islands Heard Island and McDonald Islands Medan [US Consulate] Indonesia Mediterranean Sea Atlantic Ocean Melbourne [US Consulate General] Australia Melilla Spain Mensk (Minsk) Belarus Merida [US Consulate] Mexico Messina, Strait of Atlantic Ocean Mexico [US Embassy] Mexico Mexico, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean Milan [US Consulate General] Italy Minami-tori-shima Japan Mindanao Philippines Mindoro Strait Pacific Ocean Minicoy Island India Minsk Byelarus Mogadishu [US Embassy] Somalia Moldovia Moldova Mombasa [US Consulate] Kenya Mona Passage Atlantic Ocean Monrovia [US Embassy] Liberia Montego Bay [US Consular Agency] Jamaica Montenegro Serbia and Montenegro Monterrey [US Consulate General] Mexico Montevideo [US Embassy] Uruguay Montreal [US Consulate General, Canada US Mission to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)] Moravian Gate Czechoslovakia Moroni [US Embassy] Comoros Mortlock Islands Micronesia, Federated States of Moscow [US Embassy] Russia Mozambique Channel Indian Ocean Mulege [US Consular Agency] Mexico Munich [US Consulate General] Germany Musandam Peninsula Oman; United Arab Emirates Muscat [US Embassy] Oman Muscat and Oman Oman Myanma, Myanmar Burma Naha [US Consulate General] Japan Nairobi [US Embassy] Kenya Nampo-shoto Japan Naples [US Consulate General] Italy Nassau [US Embassy] Bahamas, The Natuna Besar Islands Indonesia N'Djamena [US Embassy] Chad Netherlands East Indies Indonesia Netherlands Guiana Suriname Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis New Delhi [US Embassy] India Newfoundland Canada New Guinea Indonesia; Papua New Guinea New Hebrides Vanuatu New Siberian Islands Russia New Territories Hong Kong New York, New York [US Mission United States to the United Nations (USUN)] Niamey [US Embassy] Niger Nice [US Consular Agency] France Nicobar Islands India Nicosia [US Embassy] Cyprus Nightingale Island Saint Helena North Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean North Channel Atlantic Ocean Northeast Providence Channel Atlantic Ocean Northern Epirus Albania; Greece Northern Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Northern Ireland United Kingdom Northern Rhodesia Zambia North Island New Zealand North Korea Korea, North North Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean North Sea Atlantic Ocean North Vietnam Vietnam Northwest Passages Arctic Ocean North Yemen (Yemen Arab Republic) Yemen Norwegian Sea Atlantic Ocean Nouakchott [US Embassy] Mauritania Novaya Zemlya Russia Nuevo Laredo [US Consulate] Mexico Nyasaland Malawi Oahu United States Oaxaca [US Consular Agency] Mexico Ocean Island (Banaba) Kiribati Ocean Island (Kure Island) United States Ogaden Ethiopia; Somalia Oil Islands (Chagos Archipelago) British Indian Ocean Territory Okhotsk, Sea of Pacific Ocean Okinawa Japan Oman, Gulf of Indian Ocean Ombai Strait Pacific Ocean Oporto [US Consulate] Portugal Oran [US Consulate] Algeria Oresund (The Sound) Atlantic Ocean Orkney Islands United Kingdom Osaka-Kobe [US Consulate General] Japan Oslo [US Embassy] Norway Otranto, Strait of Atlantic Ocean Ottawa [US Embassy] Canada Ouagadougou [US Embassy] Burkina Outer Mongolia Mongolia Pagan Northern Mariana Islands Palau Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Palawan Philippines Palermo [US Consulate General] Italy Palk Strait Indian Ocean Palma de Mallorca Spain [US Consular Agency] Pamirs China; Tajikistan Panama [US Embassy] Panama Panama Canal Panama Panama, Gulf of Pacific Ocean Paramaribo [US Embassy] Suriname Parece Vela Japan Paris [US Embassy, US Mission to France the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), US Observer Mission at the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)] Pascua, Isla de (Easter Island) Chile Passion, Ile de la Clipperton Island Pashtunistan Afghanistan; Pakistan Peking (Beijing) China Pemba Island Tanzania Pentland Firth Atlantic Ocean Perim Yemen Perouse Strait, La Pacific Ocean Persian Gulf Indian Ocean Perth [US Consulate] Australia Pescadores Taiwan Peshawar [US Consulate] Pakistan Peter I Island Antarctica Philip Island Norfolk Island Philippine Sea Pacific Ocean Phoenix Islands Kiribati Pines, Isle of Cuba (Isla de la Juventud) Piura [US Consular Agency] Peru Pleasant Island Nauru Ponape (Pohnpei) Micronesia Ponta Delgada [US Consulate] Portugal Port-au-Prince [US Embassy] Haiti Port Louis [US Embassy] Mauritius Port Moresby [US Embassy] Papua New Guinea Porto Alegre [US Consulate] Brazil Port-of-Spain [US Embassy] Trinidad and Tobago Port Said [US Consular Agency] Egypt Portuguese Guinea Guinea-Bissau Portuguese Timor (East Timor) Indonesia Poznan [US Consulate] Poland Prague [US Embassy] Czechoslovakia Praia [US Embassy] Cape Verde Pretoria [US Embassy] South Africa Pribilof Islands United States Prince Edward Island Canada Prince Edward Islands South Africa Prince Patrick Island Canada Principe Sao Tome and Principe Puerto Plata [US Consular Agency] Dominican Republic Puerto Vallarta Mexico [US Consular Agency] Pusan [US Consulate] South Korea P'yongyang Korea, North Quebec [US Consulate General] Canada Queen Charlotte Islands Canada Queen Elizabeth Islands Canada Queen Maud Land Antarctica [claimed by Norway] Quito [US Embassy] Ecuador Rabat [US Embassy] Morocco Ralik Chain Marshall Islands Rangoon [US Embassy] Burma Ratak Chain Marshall Islands Recife [US Consulate] Brazil Redonda Antigua and Barbuda Red Sea Indian Ocean Revillagigedo Island United States Revillagigedo Islands Mexico Reykjavik [US Embassy] Iceland Rhodes Greece Rhodesia Zimbabwe Rhodesia, Northern Zambia Rhodesia, Southern Zimbabwe Riga [Interim Chancery] Latvia Rio de Janeiro Brazil [US Consulate General] Rio de Oro Western Sahara Rio Muni Equatorial Guinea Riyadh [US Embassy] Saudi Arabia Robinson Crusoe Island Chile (Mas a Tierra) Rocas, Atol das Brazil Rockall [disputed] United Kingdom Rodrigues Mauritius Rome [US Embassy, US Mission to Italy the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture (FODAG)] Roncador Cay Colombia Roosevelt Island Antarctica Ross Dependency Antarctica [claimed by New Zealand] Ross Island Antarctica Ross Sea Antarctica Rota Northern Mariana Islands Rotuma Fiji Ryukyu Islands Japan Saba Netherlands Antilles Sabah Malaysia Sable Island Canada Sahel Burkina; Cape Verde; Chad; The Gambia; Guinea-Bissau; Mali; Mauritania; Niger; Senegal Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam Saint Brandon Mauritius Saint Christopher and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint George's [US Embassy] Grenada Saint George's Channel Atlantic Ocean Saint John's [US Embassy] Antigua and Barbuda Saint Lawrence, Gulf of Atlantic Ocean Saint Lawrence Island United States Saint Lawrence Seaway Atlantic Ocean Saint Martin Guadeloupe Saint Martin (Sint Maarten) Netherlands Antilles Saint Paul Island Canada Saint Paul Island United States Saint Paul Island French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Ile Saint-Paul) Saint Peter and Saint Paul Rocks Brazil (Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo) Saint Petersburg Russia [US Consulate General] Saint Vincent Passage Atlantic Ocean Saipan Northern Mariana Islands Sakhalin Island (Ostrov Sakhalin) Russia Sala y Gomez, Isla Chile Salisbury (Harare) Zimbabwe Salvador de Bahia Brazil [US Consular Agency] Salzburg [US Consulate General] Austria Sanaa [US Embassy] Yemen San Ambrosio Chile San Andres y Providencia, Colombia Archipielago San Bernardino Strait Pacific Ocean San Felix, Isla Chile San Jose [US Embassy] Costa Rica San Luis Potosi Mexico [US Consular Agency] San Miguel Allende Mexico [US Consular Agency] San Salvador [US Embassy] El Salvador Santa Cruz [US Consular Agency] Bolivia Santa Cruz Islands Solomon Islands Santiago [US Embassy] Chile Santo Domingo [US Embassy] Dominican Republic Sao Luis [US Consular Agency] Brazil Sao Paulo [US Consulate General] Brazil Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo, Brazil Penedos de Sapporo [US Consulate General] Japan Sapudi Strait Indian Ocean Sarawak Malaysia Sardinia Italy Sargasso Sea Atlantic Ocean Sark Guernsey Scotia Sea Atlantic Ocean Scotland United Kingdom Scott Island Antarctica Senyavin Islands Micronesia, Federated States of Seoul [US Embassy] Korea, South Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Serrana Bank Colombia Serranilla Bank Colombia Severnaya Zemlya (Northland) Russia Seville [US Consular Agency] Spain Shag Island Heard Island and McDonald Islands Shag Rocks Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Shanghai [US Consulate General] China Shenyang [US Consulate General] China Shetland Islands United Kingdom Shikoku Japan Shikotan (Shikotan-to) Japan Siam Thailand Sibutu Passage Pacific Ocean Sicily Italy Sicily, Strait of Atlantic Ocean Sikkim India Sinai Egypt Singapore [US Embassy] Singapore Singapore Strait Pacific Ocean Sinkiang (Xinjiang) China Sint Eustatius Netherlands Antilles Sint Maarten (Saint Martin) Netherlands Antilles Skagerrak Atlantic Ocean Slovakia Czechoslovakia Society Islands French Polynesia (Iles de la Societe) Socotra Yemen Sofia [US Embassy] Bulgaria Solomon Islands, northern Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands, southern Solomon Islands Soloman Sea Pacific Ocean Songkhla [US Consulate] Thailand Sound, The (Oresund) Atlantic Ocean South Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean South China Sea Pacific Ocean Southern Grenadines Grenada Southern Rhodesia Zimbabwe South Georgia South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Island New Zealand South Korea Korea, South South Orkney Islands Antarctica South Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean South Sandwich Islands South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Shetland Islands Antarctica South Tyrol Italy South Vietnam Vietnam South-West Africa Namibia South Yemen (People's Democratic Yemen Republic of Yemen) Soviet Union Armenia, Azerbaijan, Byelarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Spanish Guinea Equatorial Guinea Spanish Sahara Western Sahara Spitsbergen Svalbard Stockholm [US Embassy] Sweden Strasbourg [US Consulate General] France Stuttgart [US Consulate General] Germany Suez, Gulf of Indian Ocean Sulu Archipelago Philippines Sulu Sea Pacific Ocean Sumatra Indonesia Sumba Indonesia Sunda Islands (Soenda Isles) Indonesia; Malaysia Sunda Strait Indian Ocean Surabaya [US Consulate] Indonesia Surigao Strait Pacific Ocean Surinam Suriname Suva [US Embassy] Fiji Swains Island American Samoa Swan Islands Honduras Sydney [US Consulate General] Australia Tahiti French Polynesia Taipei Taiwan Taiwan Strait Pacific Ocean Tallin [Interim Chancery] Estonia Tampico [US Consular Agency] Mexico Tanganyika Tanzania Tangier [US Consulate General] Morocco Tarawa Kiribati Tartar Strait Pacific Ocean Tashkent [Interim Chancery] Uzbekistan Tasmania Australia Tasman Sea Pacific Ocean Taymyr Peninsula Russia (Poluostrov Taymyra) Tegucigalpa [US Embassy] Honduras Tehran [US post not maintained, Iran representation by Swiss Embassy] Tel Aviv [US Embassy] Israel Terre Adelie (Adelie Land) Antarctica [claimed by France] Thailand, Gulf of Pacific Ocean Thessaloniki Greece [US Consulate General] Thurston Island Antarctica Tibet (Xizang) China Tbilisi Georgia Tierra del Fuego Argentina; Chile Tijuana [US Consulate General] Mexico Timor Indonesia Timor Sea Indian Ocean Tinian Northern Mariana Islands Tiran, Strait of Indian Ocean Tobago Trinidad and Tobago Tokyo [US Embassy] Japan Tonkin, Gulf of Pacific Ocean Toronto [US Consulate General] Canada Torres Strait Pacific Ocean Toshkent (Tashkent) Uzbekistan Trans-Jordan Jordan Transkei South Africa Transylvania Romania Trieste [US Consular Agency] Italy Trindade, Ilha de Brazil Tripoli [US post not maintained, Libya representation by Belgian Embassy] Tristan da Cunha Group Saint Helena Trobriand Islands Papua New Guinea Trucial States United Arab Emirates Truk Islands Micronesia Tsugaru Strait Pacific Ocean Tuamotu Islands (Iles Tuamotu) French Polynesia Tubuai Islands (Iles Tubuai) French Polynesia Tunis [US Embassy] Tunisia Turin [US Consulate] Italy Turkish Straits Atlantic Ocean Turkmeniya Turkmenistan Turks Island Passage Atlantic Ocean Tyrol, South Italy Tyrrhenian Sea Atlantic Ocean Udorn [US Consulate] Thailand Ulaanbaatar Mongolia Ullung-do Korea, South Unimak Pass [strait] Pacific Ocean Union of Soviet Socialist Armenia, Azerbaijan, Byelarus, Estonia, Republics Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan United Arab Republic Egypt; Syria Upper Volta Burkina USSR Armenia, Azerbaijan, Byelarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Vaduz [US post not maintained, Liechtenstein representation from Zurich, Switzerland] Vakhan Corridor (Wakhan) Afghanistan Valencia [US Consular Agency] Spain Valletta [US Embassy] Malta Vancouver [US Consulate General] Canada Vancouver Island Canada Van Diemen Strait Pacific Ocean Vatican City [US Embassy] Vatican City Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Spain Venda South Africa Veracruz [US Consular Agency] Mexico Verde Island Passage Pacific Ocean Victoria [US Embassy] Seychelles Vienna [US Embassy, US Mission Austria to International Organizations in Vienna (UNVIE)] Vientiane [US Embassy] Laos Vilnius [Interim Chancery] Lithuania Volcano Islands Japan Vostok Island Kiribati Vrangelya, Ostrov Russia (Wrangel Island) Wakhan Corridor Afghanistan (now Vakhan Corridor) Wales United Kingdom Walvis Bay South Africa Warsaw [US Embassy] Poland Washington, DC [The Permanent United States Mission of the USA to the Organization of American States (OAS)] Weddell Sea Atlantic Ocean Wellington [US Embassy] New Zealand Western Channel Pacific Ocean (West Korea Strait) West Germany (Federal Republic Germany of Germany) West Korea Strait Pacific Ocean (Western Channel) West Pakistan Pakistan Wetar Strait Pacific Ocean White Sea Arctic Ocean Windhoek Namibia Windward Passage Atlantic Ocean Winnipeg [US Consular Agency] Canada Wrangel Island (Ostrov Vrangelya) Russia [de facto] Yaounde [US Embassy] Cameroon Yap Islands Micronesia Yellow Sea Pacific Ocean Yemen (Aden) [People's Democratic Yemen Republic of Yemen] Yemen Arab Republic Yemen Yemen, North [Yemen Arab Yemen Republic] Yemen (Sanaa) [Yemen Arab Yemen Republic] Yemen, People's Democratic Yemen Republic of Yemen, South [People's Democratic Yemen Republic of Yemen] Yerevan Armenia Youth, Isle of Cuba (Isla de la Juventud) Yucatan Channel Atlantic Ocean Yugoslavia Bosnia and Hercegovina; 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